The Thailand War Elephants inched closer to being regional queens once again as they booked a ticket to the finals of the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship with a 2-0 win over Myanmar, Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
This is Thailand’s second consecutive finals appearance since the tournament was last played in 2019. The Thais will be gunning for their fifth crown in the competition.
The War Elephants gained the lead through Kanyanat Chetthabutr’s close-range strike that crawled past Myanmar goalkeeper May Zin Nwe in the 45th minute.
Come the second half, coach Miyo Okamoto’s side sealed the victory when substitute Saowalak Pengngam latched on skipper Nipawan Panyosuk’s through ball minute.
“It was a really tough schedule, but the players set the goal to reach number one. And the players responded really, really well to that. That’s the result for us,” said Okamoto through a translator.
“Today’s game was extremely fatiguing. I think recovery is the key and just get the players back to playing condition by the finals.”
With the win, the Thais will play in the big dance this Sunday night. Meanwhile, Myanmar will compete in the third-place match beforehand. Both games will take place at Rizal Memorial.
Thailand XI: Thongmongkol (GK), Saenkhun, Philawan, Somnuek, Panyosuk ©, Mongkoldee, Rodthong, Pram-Nak, Chetthabutr, Onsamai, Aupachai.
Myanmar XI: May Zin Nwe (GK), Khin Than Wai, Chit Chit, Phyu Phyu Win, Naw Htet Htet Wai, Win Theingi Tun, San Thaw Thaw, Myat Noe Khin, Khin Marlar Tun ©, Nant Zu Zu Htet, Khin Mo Mo Tun.
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Catch the entire 2022 AFF Women’s Championship live on SMART Sports and Puso Pilipinas from July 4-18.
