Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Mandalay: Anootsara Maijarern took her tally to three in two games as Thailand joined Chinese Taipei at the top of the table in the second round of qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games on Friday after edging Jordan 1-0, while 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup hosts Vietnam picked up their first three points after defeating hosts Myanmar 4-2.
Prolific defender Anootsara scored the only goal of the game against the West Asians half-an-hour into Friday’s encounter at the Mandalar Thiri Stadium, where she previously scored both goals in Thailand’s 2-1 defeat of Myanmar on Wednesday.
Anootsara match-winning contributions have put Thailand joint-top of the standings with Chinese Taipei, who lead the way on goal difference.
Myanmar missed the chance to join the leading duo after crashing to a 4-2 defeat to Vietnam in Friday’s later fixture at the same venue.
Huyn Nhu opened the scoring in the 16th minute and before Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet gave Vietnam a 3-0 lead going into the break when she netted her second of the game from the penalty spot one minute into stoppage time having doubled her side’s advantage in the 22nd minute.
Afer opening the scoring Huyn Nhu claimed Vietnam’s fourth and final goal of the game in the 74th minute before Myanmar enjoyed a late rally with goals from Wai Wai Aung (85th) and Khin Moe Wai (88th) giving the scoreline a more flattering perspective.
The team that emerges top of the five-team table on September 22 will join reigning Asian champions Japan, 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup runners-up Australia, DPR Korea, China, and Korea Republic in the Qualification Final Round, with the top two sides going on to represent Asia at the women’s football tournament of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.