Ho Chi Minh City: Thailand opened their 2017 ASEAN Futsal Championship campaign with a 14-0 win over Laos while Malaysia beat Timor-Leste 7-2 in Group B action at the Phu Tho Stadium on Thursday.
Thailand 14-0 Laos
The tournament is also serving as a qualifier for the AFC Futsal Championship 2018, and with much on the line, Chaivat Jamrajang opened the scoring in the first minute when he was left unmarked in the penalty box after Outthilath Nammakhoth's blocked a shot from Muhammad Osamanmusa rebounded kindly.
Jamrajang, who was in a perfect position to strike home from close range, doubled their advantage in the third minute.
It was Osamanmusa once again who was the architect, dribbling down the court and pulling the Laos defence forward. This created space for Weerasak Srichai to receive and score a minute later.
Jetsada Chudech (4th) and Peerapol Satsue (5th) etched their names on the scoresheet moments later.
Jose Maria Pazos Mendez's side were clearly the superior team, and Nawin Rattanawongswa tapped the ball in from close range, courtesy of Osamanmusa's quick pass in the eighth minute.
Twelve minutes into the game, Warut Wongsama-aeo capitalised on a disorganised Laos defence, before Osmanmusa finally scored a goal of his own two minutes later.
Thailand continued their relentless assault after the restart, with Srichai's crackling shot in 23rd minute beating Nammakhaoth and rolling into the net, before he turned provider to assist Osamanmusa to make it 10-0 shortly after.
Chansamone Phommalivong came close to breaking Thailand's lead, but his shot strayed too far to the left.
Osmanmusa completed his hat-trick shortly after the half-hour mark, and a series of goal from Chudech (35th), Nattavut Madyalan (35th) and Satsue (37th) ended the proceedings to hand 12-time champions Thailand all three points.
Malaysia 7-2 Timor-Leste
It was Timor-Leste who started the more eager, but it was Malaysia’s Abu Haniffa who scored the first goal in the second minute, and Akmarul Nizam doubled their lead shortly after.
Awanni Ismail came close in the fifth minute to triple their advantage, but ‘keeper Marco Galiano Saores was on point to stop the shot on its tracks.
Bruno Gomes received a long range pass to shoot between Malaysia’s captain and custodian Firdaus Rizali’s legs to narrow their deficit in the eighth minute.
Two minutes from half-time, a swift counter-attack from the boys in black and yellow and a series of one-touches gave Haniffa an easy tap in.
Azwann Ismail was definitely Malaysia’s playmaker, with his vigilant awareness and his reliable passes and he made no mistake as his cross into the box saw Awalluddin Nawi sliding the ball in seconds from the half-time break.
After the breather, Malaysia maintained their dominance but Timor-Leste held firm.
However, Awalluddin earned his brace in the 25th minute with a left-footed strike from outside the penalty area which proved too fast for Soares.
In the 31st minute, Bruno Torres’ side had a counter attack of their own as Silverio Garcia surged forward before passing the ball to Ilidio Nunes to chip the ball over Firdaus and into the net.
Malaysia regained their four-goal lead when they were awarded a free-kick after a harsh tackle from a Timor-Leste defender.
Saiful Nizam Ali then lifted the ball to an unmarked Khairul Effendy to score minutes later.
Soares was definitely an overworked goalkeeper, and Azwann found an opportunity to score from the halfway line that left the Timor-Leste team surprised in the 36th minute.
Chiew Chun Yong’s side ended Matchday One second in the standings, tied with Thailand on three points but with an inferior goal difference.
Photos: ASEAN Football Federation
Source: the-afc.com