San Thaw Thaw of Myanmar celebrates her goal in the third-place playoff against Vietnam. Myanmar won 4-3 after a late flurry of goals. (Photo courtesy of VFF)Coach Mai Duc Chung and his side suffered a shock loss to thePhilippines in the semi-finals two days ago. Although he promised to lifthis players up and do all to take home bronze they could not carry out themission.
Chung fielded a strong squad with a view to taking the game toMyanmar, who lost 0-1 to Vietnam in the group round match last week.
However, the three-time winners conceded a goal just 10 minutesinto the game.
Goalkeeper Khong Thi Hang tried to punch the ball away butSan Thaw Thaw gathered the ball and found the back of the net from closerange.
Captain Huynh Nhu led the Vietnamese front line with a number ofthreatening attacks, and Vietnam levelled the score in the 24th minute.
Midfielder Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung slipped the ball behind Myanmar'sdefence, finding Nguyen Thuy Trang on the right wing.
Trang's low shot was blocked by goalkeeper May Zin Nwe but Nhu goton the rebound to make it 1-1 for Vietnam.
Fifteen minutes later, Nhu pushed Vietnam ahead with a super shotthat the Myanmar goalkeeper could only watch as it sailed past her.
This goal was all the sweeter as it was Nhu's 59th goal for thenational team, making her the highest female scorer in Vietnam's history.
Things seemed to be going right for Vietnam as they led going intothe halftime break.
However, Myanmar came out of the blocks raring to go and createdmany chances in the second half.
Khin Mo Mo Tun's corner hit the post and bounced to Thawwho tapped it in to level the game at 2-2 all in the 58th minute.
The last ten minutes had all the drama, and plenty of goalstoo.
Nhu stole the ball after a misunderstanding between Nwe andher defender, setting up Pham Hai Yen who passed it into an empty net.
Just a minute later though, substitute goalie of Tran Thi KimThanh failed to collect the ball and Naw Htet Htet Wai capitalised, making thescore 3-3.
Thanh was guilty again as Vietnam conceded a fourth. Sheneedlessly tipped the ball onto the crossbar from a shot, and Thaw completedher hattrick in the 88th minute after collecting the ball.
"I take responsibility for this loss," coach Chung toldreporters at the post-match briefing.
"My players met problems in physicality. Myanmar alsosuffered the same issue but they had a determined game while our players losttheir focus. The defence did not work well leading to two goals conceded in thelast minutes.
"I thought it was a 3-2 win but we lost 4-3. Vietnam willhave many changes in personnel after the AFF Cup defeat. Some young playerswere inexperienced while the veterans were lacking fitness. We need to improvea lot," he said.
AFF Cup is the last international tournament of Vietnam in2022. The players will return to clubs for the national league before headingto 2023 events, including the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July./.
VNA
