Vietnam enter women's football final
KUALA LUMPUR - Vietnam qualified for the final of the women's football of the
SEA Games when they beat Myanmar 7-6 in a penalty shootout after both teams were tied 1-1 at
the end of extra time at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras last night.
Myanmar's Nu Nu Khaine failed to convert her penalty kick and handed victory to Vietnam who will
meet Thailand who had beat Indonesia 2-0 Wednesday.
In the 35th minute of the match, Vietnam scored through Luu Ngoc Mai but the Myanmar coach and
players claimed that Luu was in an offside position when she shot the ball past goalkeeper Myint
Myint Than. Referee Zhang Dong Qing of China awarded the goal.
The Myanmar coach and players seemed unwilling to continue play but several Myanmar officials
coaxed them to carry on with the game.
When play resumed, Aye Nandar Hlaing was pulled up for an infringement against Vietnam's captain
Bui Thi Hein Luong and the referee did not hesitate to flash the red card.
Aye, unhappy with the referee's decision, suddenly punched Quanch Thanh Mai and Nguyen Thi Mai
Lan who were near her. Myanmar officials again intervened and coaxed Aye to leave the pitch.
But a goal deficit and 10 players did not deter Myanmmar from giving Vietnam a good fight.
Their effort paid off two minutes from the final whistle when Nguyen Hong Phuc felled My Nilar Htwe
in the penalty box. The referee pointed to the spot and Moe-Moe War made no mistake with her kick
to give Myanmar the equaliser.
Vietnam coach Steve Darby said at a press confrence after the match that both teams were superb
and that the match tonight should have been the final.
Myanmmar assistant coach Saw Oo said they were not happy with the referee Zhang's handling of
the game.
Vietnam: 1-Nguyen Thi Kim Hong, 9-Bui Thi Minh Nguyet (11-Nguyen Thi Ha), 8-Luu Ngoc Mai,
10-Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga, 14-Doan Thi Kim Chi, 7-Phung Thi Minh Nguyet, 4-Quach Thanh Mai,
5-Nguyen Thi Mai Lan, 15-Nguyen Hong Phunc, 3-Vu Thi Le Khanh, 16-Tran Thi Bich Hanh.
Myanmmar: 1-Myint Myint Than, 11-Mar Lar Win, 19-My Nilar Htwe (16-Nyein Nyein Ei), 9-Aye
Nandar Hliang (red card), 15-Yin Moe Aye (5-San San Maw),7-Hla-Hla Than, 11-Mar Lar Win (18-Nu
Nu Khaine Win), 8-Thu Zar Htwe, 6-Thet Thet Win, 2-Nwe Nwe Toe, 4-Moe Moe War.
Referee: Zhang Dong Qing (China)
By Hisham Abdul Hamid - Bernama (Malaysia) - September 13, 2001.
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