Young Tigers coach S. Balachandran paraded his best players against the Thais in this first leg semi-finals encounter with Kogisleswaran Raj leading the charge upfront. The former Bukit Bandaraya student in Bangsar, who joined the FA of Malaysia Academy in Gambang last year, increased his ACT 2014 goal scoring act to 12 goals.
Skipper Mohd Shahrul Akmal marshalled from the middle, Najib Abdulah played his role mapped out from the left flank extremely well with Mohd Zulkhairi on the right. It was Harimau Muda Under-16’s most lethal strike force.
“I am very excited with this win. The boys came back strongly after going down early in the game. But we can also expect a strong fight back from Chonburi in the return leg match,” said Balachandran.
“We have one week to prepare our strategy against the Thais and I believe the boys know what to expect and what needs to be done,” he added.
Backed by an estimated 2,000 folks of Janda Baik and FA of Malaysia General-Secretary Dato’ Hamidin Mohd Amin, the Malaysians and Thais got off to a cautious start, not wanting to be far too adventurous in the early minutes of play.
The defending champions arrived in Janda Baik with Peerayat Kaminthong, the team’s mastermind, lurking in the middle, Sittichok Paso and Kritthanapong Paidaen marauding dangerously from the flanks.
However, it was Chonburi FA who took the early lead with a 16th minute goal. Midfielder Sittichok let fly a 35-metre shot from the middle which surprised goalkeeper Mohd Asri Mohd as the ball dipped near the far left post and into the net.
Skipper Mohd Shahrul Akmal marshalled from the middle, Najib Abdulah played his role mapped out from the left flank extremely well with Mohd Zulkhairi on the right. It was Harimau Muda Under-16’s most lethal strike force.
“I am very excited with this win. The boys came back strongly after going down early in the game. But we can also expect a strong fight back from Chonburi in the return leg match,” said Balachandran.
“We have one week to prepare our strategy against the Thais and I believe the boys know what to expect and what needs to be done,” he added.
Backed by an estimated 2,000 folks of Janda Baik and FA of Malaysia General-Secretary Dato’ Hamidin Mohd Amin, the Malaysians and Thais got off to a cautious start, not wanting to be far too adventurous in the early minutes of play.
The defending champions arrived in Janda Baik with Peerayat Kaminthong, the team’s mastermind, lurking in the middle, Sittichok Paso and Kritthanapong Paidaen marauding dangerously from the flanks.
However, it was Chonburi FA who took the early lead with a 16th minute goal. Midfielder Sittichok let fly a 35-metre shot from the middle which surprised goalkeeper Mohd Asri Mohd as the ball dipped near the far left post and into the net.
Buoyed by the early goal, the Thais, who have been unbeaten throughout the Group B preliminary round stage, pressed on for more but were denied by their own sloppy performance.
In a sudden burst of attack in the 27th minute, the young tigers won their second corner of the day. Kogileswaran turned the ball in and Najib picked it with a fine header to beat goalkeeper Chakon Philakhlang. Harimau Muda 1 Chonburi FA 1.
The tempo of the match turned intensive in the second half with the Thais having a strong grip in the early minutes and almost went 2-1 up had striker Saharat Sontisawat pounced on a loose ball in front of the Malaysian goalmouth.
But the night righteously belonged to Balachandran’s young tigers who stole the thunder from the Thais. Substitute Amirul made it 2-1 in the 78th minutes and Kogileswaran sealed it 3-1 seven minutes before the final whistle with a pass from the unselfish Mohd Najmuddin inside the box.
Balachandran’s Harimau Muda Under-16 will now travel to Chonburi FA Stadium on August 18 for the second legs semi-finals, buoyed with a two-goal lead.
Frenz United Malaysia will also go into action today in the first leg semi-finals against PVF Vietnam at the Thong Ngat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.
In a sudden burst of attack in the 27th minute, the young tigers won their second corner of the day. Kogileswaran turned the ball in and Najib picked it with a fine header to beat goalkeeper Chakon Philakhlang. Harimau Muda 1 Chonburi FA 1.
The tempo of the match turned intensive in the second half with the Thais having a strong grip in the early minutes and almost went 2-1 up had striker Saharat Sontisawat pounced on a loose ball in front of the Malaysian goalmouth.
But the night righteously belonged to Balachandran’s young tigers who stole the thunder from the Thais. Substitute Amirul made it 2-1 in the 78th minutes and Kogileswaran sealed it 3-1 seven minutes before the final whistle with a pass from the unselfish Mohd Najmuddin inside the box.
Balachandran’s Harimau Muda Under-16 will now travel to Chonburi FA Stadium on August 18 for the second legs semi-finals, buoyed with a two-goal lead.
Frenz United Malaysia will also go into action today in the first leg semi-finals against PVF Vietnam at the Thong Ngat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.
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