Thursday, November 27, 2014
More AFF Cup Excitement
Well, that is the end of match day two of the ASEAN Football Federation Championship and there were certainly a few more thrills and spills.
In Hanoi, Indonesia again disappointed most people with another lacklustre performance which I covered yesterday while Vietnam defeated Laos 3-0 though the result did not take on a convincing air until a couple of late goals.
While my ranting was all about Indonesia, credit must go to the Azkals and their performance and as someone who is unfamiliar with the game there I will follow the crowd and highlight Phil Younghusband. The one time Chelsea trainee has been collecting goals and assists like they are going out of fashion (they already have in Indonesia) and he turned in another impressive showing against the wingless Garuda.
Admittedly most teams would have defeated Indonesia and Laos coach David Booth must be hoping for a similarly shocking display when they meet on Friday. Laos came to Hanoi as the underdogs and have lived down to that name with a couple of displays that at least show some promise but lacking any experience. Witness the flurry of late goals they concede.
1 - Philippines 2 2 0 0 8-1 6
2 - Vietnam 2 1 1 0 5-2 4
3 - Indonesia 2 0 1 1 2-6 1
4 - Laos 2 0 0 2 1-7 0
Moving down to Singapore and what a couple of thrillers were served up there. Malaysia took the lead against favourites Thailand twice but were left cruelly undone after the Thais scored a last minute winner for the second time in two games. Oh, and can I join the list of folks drooling over Chanathip Songkrasin with the proviso he stays away from either Buriram United or Muang Thong United?
In the other game, Singapore overcame Myanmar 4-2. Ahead of the comeptition many were asking where the goals would come for the Lions but Shaiful Esah and Harris Harun answered that little conundrum last night. The next question is where the fans will come from as another disappointing attendance made their way to the new National Stadium.
Myanmar fought back well in the second half and at 3-2 looked to be asking the holders a few questions but Esah put the game to bed with a second free kick. The only dark clouds on the result, not those in the sky, came with the injury to Shahdan Sulaiman and Singapore will be hoping he won't be out for too long.
1 - Thailand 2 2 0 0 5-3 6
2 - Singapore 2 1 0 1 5-4 3
3 - Malaysia 2 0 1 1 2-3 1
4 - Myanmar 2 0 1 1 2-4 1
Last night's results in Singapore mean the Thais are through to the semi finals with six points from their two groups stage games while Singapore edge Malaysia into second place with three points. If Malaysia can beat the old enemy at the weekend though then it is they who will go through to the semi finals!
Perhaps Singapore fans can get out and support their team in the decider...I guess much depends on whether Manchester United or Liverpool are being shown live on TV at the same time.
In Hanoi, Indonesia again disappointed most people with another lacklustre performance which I covered yesterday while Vietnam defeated Laos 3-0 though the result did not take on a convincing air until a couple of late goals.
While my ranting was all about Indonesia, credit must go to the Azkals and their performance and as someone who is unfamiliar with the game there I will follow the crowd and highlight Phil Younghusband. The one time Chelsea trainee has been collecting goals and assists like they are going out of fashion (they already have in Indonesia) and he turned in another impressive showing against the wingless Garuda.
Admittedly most teams would have defeated Indonesia and Laos coach David Booth must be hoping for a similarly shocking display when they meet on Friday. Laos came to Hanoi as the underdogs and have lived down to that name with a couple of displays that at least show some promise but lacking any experience. Witness the flurry of late goals they concede.
1 - Philippines 2 2 0 0 8-1 6
2 - Vietnam 2 1 1 0 5-2 4
3 - Indonesia 2 0 1 1 2-6 1
4 - Laos 2 0 0 2 1-7 0
Moving down to Singapore and what a couple of thrillers were served up there. Malaysia took the lead against favourites Thailand twice but were left cruelly undone after the Thais scored a last minute winner for the second time in two games. Oh, and can I join the list of folks drooling over Chanathip Songkrasin with the proviso he stays away from either Buriram United or Muang Thong United?
In the other game, Singapore overcame Myanmar 4-2. Ahead of the comeptition many were asking where the goals would come for the Lions but Shaiful Esah and Harris Harun answered that little conundrum last night. The next question is where the fans will come from as another disappointing attendance made their way to the new National Stadium.
Myanmar fought back well in the second half and at 3-2 looked to be asking the holders a few questions but Esah put the game to bed with a second free kick. The only dark clouds on the result, not those in the sky, came with the injury to Shahdan Sulaiman and Singapore will be hoping he won't be out for too long.
1 - Thailand 2 2 0 0 5-3 6
2 - Singapore 2 1 0 1 5-4 3
3 - Malaysia 2 0 1 1 2-3 1
4 - Myanmar 2 0 1 1 2-4 1
Last night's results in Singapore mean the Thais are through to the semi finals with six points from their two groups stage games while Singapore edge Malaysia into second place with three points. If Malaysia can beat the old enemy at the weekend though then it is they who will go through to the semi finals!
Perhaps Singapore fans can get out and support their team in the decider...I guess much depends on whether Manchester United or Liverpool are being shown live on TV at the same time.
# posted by Me @ 10:21 AM 
