Football

Vietnamese players (in red) are seen in an attack against Cambodia in their AFF U18 Women's Football Championship's Group A match. Việt Nam wins 7-0 to enter the semi-finals. Photo of AFF

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam confirmed a berth in the AFF U18 Women's Football Championship's semi-finals after a 7-0 win over Cambodia on July 28 in Indonesia.

Just five minutes into the match, Hồng Như Hoa opened the scoring for Việt Nam with a close-range finish.

Using mostly reserve players, Việt Nam raced to a 5-0 lead before the break, with four more goals from Ngọc Minh Chuyên (6 and 45), Nguyễn Thị Hải Yến (9), and Nguyễn Phương Anh (30).

Hoàng Thị Ngọc Anh made it 6-0 just two minutes after the interval in the second half. Phương Anh then added her second and Việt Nam's seventh goal in the 58th minute.

"I am happy with Việt Nam's win. The Cambodian players tried hard to make it a good game," coach Akira Ijiri said.

The Japanese manager confirmed his team's target in this tournament was to sharpen players' skills and improve their mindset for further events.

"In this championship, players have only one day of rest between matches. My players have not recovered totally for the next one. However, it would be good for them as it was a chance for them to grow up stronger," he said.

"It prepares us for the Asian competition next year."

After three matches, Việt Nam earned nine points to top Group A. This will set up the group finale against Thailand on July 30.

In an earlier game at the Gelora Jakabaring Stadium, Thailand beat hosts Indonesia 3-0.

Supansa Trisutho bagged a double in the first half, while Pichayatida Manowang's finish from close range sealed the win for the Thais in the 58th minute.

"Indonesia gave us a very tough game. Both teams played 100 per cent for this match, and we are very satisfied," said Thailand head coach Miya Okamoto.

With the heavy expectations from the home crowd where several hundred loyalists came out in support, the young Indonesian squad could not keep their match jitters in check.

"We are still in the process of building women's football in the country. The players played much better in the second half than the first," said Indonesia head coach Rudy Eka Priyambada.

In Group B today, Australia will play Myanmar to decide the group winner at the Jakabaring Athletics Field. Both have qualified for the last four.

Meanwhile, at the Gelora Jakabaring Stadium, eliminated squads, Malaysia and the Philippines will play each other. VNS