Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Yangon: Thailand won the AFF Under-18 Championship 2017 title where a three-minute blitz gave them a hard fought 2-0 win over Malaysia in the final at the Thuwunna Stadium on Sunday.
What made the win more fabulous for the Thais was the fact that they had to play with 10 men towards the end of the exhilarating tie when Wudtichai Kumkeam picked up his second yellow card in the 67th minute.
“It has been a tough tournament all around,” said striker Ekanit Panya after the game. “But we have grown as a team and this victory will give us confidence for the future.”
The introduction of Ekanit and Yuthapichal Lertlum for Thailand eight minutes before the breather had an instant impact when the latter rushed into the Malaysian box for a shot that was well blocked by custodian Muhammad Azri Abdul Ghani.
And it took Thailand just three minutes into the second half for them to grab the lead where off some hesitant Malaysian clearance, Ekanit nodded home the cross from Naravit Kaosantia.
Three minutes later, Thailand doubled the advantage with captain Kritsada Kaman heading in the cross from an almost similar situation.
Thailand's U-18 squad's victory comes just weeks after their U-22 team won the Kuala Lumpur 2017 SEA Games gold, beating Malaysia 1-0 in the final.
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