| Fadhil Yunus |
THAILAND national under-21 team salvaged a 1-1 draw with Myanmar following a late strike in stoppage time in Group ‘A’ of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for Asean Youth Football Tournament 2018 at the Track & Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex last night.
Myanmar looked on course to end stubborn resistance from their group rivals after a first-half blitz materialised no outcome but a late resurgence from the Thais gave them a platform for a dramatic equaliser.
Since Thailand wasted little time to use the flanks to conjure an attack in the opening minute, the momentum quickly shifted to Myanmar who asserted their dominance with a torrent of attacks.
Thailand’s goalkeeper Lakkhonphon Nophhon made a string of saves as the entire Myanmar attacking workforce laid siege punctuated by a flurry of attacks with such regularity.
With Thailand clearly struggling with Myanmar’s onslaught, they found the perfect response in injury time to ensure the top spot was still in anyone’s reach.
There was little danger but Thailand nearly played into their own hands when Lakkhonphon inadvertently turned away a routine catch needlessly for a corner after a defender had guided the ball onto his path.
Moments later, the goalkeeper was issued a first warning after Myanmar’s midfielder Hein Htet Aung unleashed a good effort after skipping brilliantly past his marker.
Thailand’s only notable highlight in the first half was in the 9th minute after reacting to a loose ball.
Lakkhonphon was arguably the busier of the two goalkeepers after keeping out two consecutive piledrivers from Myanmar sharpshooters Myat Kaung Khant and Lwin Moe Aung.
Myanmar came desperately close in breaking the deadlock after Aung Kaung Mann, the successor of the country’s lethal striker Aung Thu, rattled against the bar after meeting a finely precise cross from Kyaw Thu Tun.
With a Thai defender falling flat on the pitch, Win Naing Tun squared the ball into the middle but Soe Lwin hit his shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Myanmar’s Hein Htet found an opening but saw his shot fly narrowly wide as the bombardment continued incessantly.
Lakkhanphon had to come to his team’s aid for an umpteenth time after tipping a swerving free-kick from Myat Kaung.
With Myanmar dictating the tempo of the game, Hein Htet used his option on the right-hand side and released Soe Lwin but the latter could not adjust his body in time to make a good connection.
Thailand’s Lakkhanphon came to action again but this time with limited movement only using his legs to kick away a neat flick from Win Naing Tun.
Just as how Thailand began with their quick play, they nearly ended the first half taking a surprise lead but Kinnonkok Kitti was just a fraction late sliding onto substitute Kesi Sampan’s low cross.
Myanmar finally broke Thailand’s resistance after the excellent Hein Htet curled a well-taken effort from the edge of the box in the 66th minute.
The War Elephants spurned a golden opportunity to draw level after Kinnonkok blasted his effort from close range.
But, T Sirimongkol rescued his side a point after firing a dramatic equaliser in injury time to blow Group ‘A’ wide open.
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