Laos has qualified for the semi-finals of the ASEAN Boy’s Under-17 football championships for the first time since 2015. And they did it in grand style by disposing of three-time champions Thailand 3-2 to top Group B at the Gelora Delta in Gresik, Indonesia.
This will be the first time that Thailand had failed to get past the group stages since the inception of the championships in 2002. Laos joins Australia from Group C in the semi-finals.
Myanmar let slip of their chances of making the cut, succumbing to a shock 1-2 defeat to the Philippines. The two time champions will now have to wait for the results of the final Group A matches tomorrow to see whether they can qualify.
Hosts Indonesia need to be beat table toppers Vietnam to qualify for the semi-finals as the best second placed team. However, it would also depend on the match between Malaysia and Timor Leste.
If Indonesia manages to beat Vietnam, Malaysia will need to beat Timor Leste by at least five goal to advance. A draw for both teams will see Indonesia advancing on goal difference.
Defeat for Indonesia and a win for Malaysia will see the latter qualifying, while a defeat of Indonesia and a draw for Malaysia will see Myanmar advancing to the semi-finals.
Laos, twice came back from a goal down to hand Thailand a second successive defeat in the championship. Thailand, who were also beaten by Myanmar, took the lead in the 14th minute through Viphusit Seejan.
It was not until the second half that Laos found the equalizer through Anoulak Singsavang in the 54th minute.
It took the Thai’s just eight minutes to restore their lead, this time with Prince Alves Kelly Kouakou finding the net in the 62nd minute.
But two quick strikes in the 72nd and 76th minutes by Sisombat Vilaysone paid put to Thailand’s hopes.
Myanmar were poised to join Laos in the semi-finals after taking a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute through Nyi Nyi Thant. But two late goals in the 80th and 84th minutes by Aarran Long gave a previously winless Philippines a shock victory.
