THE final matches of SEA Games Women's Football Group B will take place at 3:30 pm (MST) on 11 December, and the Myanmar women's team will face Vietnam, whereas the Philippines meets Malaysia.
Although the Myanmar women's football team won two matches, leading Group B, their qualification is not yet guaranteed for the semifinal, as the Philippines won against Vietnam. After two matches, Myanmar leads with six points, while Vietnam and the Philippines both have three points, and Malaysia remains without a point.
According to SEA Games regulations, the goal difference in all matches within the group takes precedence over the same points, and the Myanmar team has fewer goals than Vietnam and so it needs to get at least one point in the final match and cannot lose it. The Vietnamese women's team, which is the current champion, can reach another stage only when they win Myanmar. So, one of them will have to be eliminated from the group stage. If the Philippines wins against Malaysia with at least 4 goals or above, they can reach the semifinal, and Myanmar and Vietnam will have to fight for first place.
Although a draw against Vietnam can ensure Myanmar's safe passage to the semifinal, all the players need to concentrate throughout the playing time. They need to use the chance to score, and it is important to prevent the opposing side from scoring. The Myanmar fans residing in Thailand will watch the match, and the Myanmar women's team must do their utmost to ensure first place in the semifinal. As a draw against Vietnam can make the Myanmar team reach first place in the group, it can avoid Thailand, which is first in another group. Therefore, the Myanmar team will have to meet with Indonesia, and it is almost certain to reach the final. Thus, getting points in a touch game against Vietnam can create an opportunity to the final, and so the Myanmar women's team needs to play against Vietnam like a final match, feeling a “must win” game during 90 minutes. — Ko Nyi Lay/KTZH
