Thailand retain AFF Futsal title after Malaysia’s valiant fight
THAILAND recovered from two goals down in the final to retain the AFF Futsal Championship title with a 4-3 win after extra-time in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday.
Malaysia stunned Thailand to lead 2-0 in the first half and 3-1 in the second but the defending champions scored twice to send the match into extra-time before Ronnachai Jungwongsuk bagged the winner in the 44th minute.
Goalkeeper Azrul Hadee Taufiq was a major stumbling block to Thailand all game and after making two excellent stops, Awalluddin Mat Nawi strode forward in the fifth minute to beat Thai keeper Kanison Phoopun at his near post from close range for an early lead.
Two minutes later, Malaysia went 2-0 up through Ridzwan Bakri but Thailand reduced the deficit in the 12th minute when Tanachot Sosawaeng fired home with the aid of a deflection.
Awalluddin scored his second of the game from close to the sideline after a kick-in was tapped to him in the 24th minute to put Malaysia 3-1 ahead.
Thailand pulled a goal back in the 27th minute when Muhammad Osamanmusa curled the ball past Azrul to the far post before the score was level four minutes later when Thailand broke forward twoon-one and Jetsada Chudech applied the finishing touch.
Malaysia had a chance to regain the lead in extra-time when they were awarded a penalty for an accumulation of fouls but the attempt by Akmarulnizam Idris was deflected by substitute goalkeeper Katawut Hankampa.
Instead, Ronnachai fired low inside the near post to put Thailand in front for the first time in the game to claim their 13th championship title.
Myanmar finished third by beating Vietnam 4-3 in a penalty shootout after coming back from a 0-2 deficit for a 2-2 draw. Devinder Singh