All square in group B

It was all square in Group B of the SEA Games men’s football event when Indonesia held Singapore to a 2-2 draw while hosts Laos held Myanmar to a 1-1 stalemate in the two matches that were played at the Main Stadium, in Vientiane Saturday.

The match started with Indonesia the early aggressor when captain Tony Sucipto delivered a free kick which sailed over the crossbar.

But while Indonesia were eager looking for the first goal, it was Singapore who went ahead in the sixth minute when defender Muhammad Safuwan out jumped their opponent’s defence to nod in the corner from Mohd Shaiful Esah Nain.

In the 24th minute, Indonesia fell further behind when Djayusman Triasdi curled the ball into the net to beat keeper Frenky Irawan for the second time in the afternoon.

Indonesia did no show any sign of desperation, and with just three minutes left of the first half, Indonesia finally got their first goal Stevie Bonsapia slammed home a cross from striker Engel Sani.

Indonesia started the second half stronger and while Boaz failed with a 54th minute attempt, they finally found their equaliser in the 65th minute when Rendy headed off a Rachmat Latif corner.

In the meantime, hosts Laos repaid the faith of their fans with a never-say-die-attitude to hold Myanmar to a superb 1-1 draw in the second match of the day.

Myanmar got their lead in the 42nd minute when off a quick counter-attack, Thi Ha ran past Souvanpheng before putting the ball past Kitsada.

But the local fans finally got something to cheer in the 70th minute when Khampheng broke through the Myanmar defence before unleashing a grounder to the far post.

RESULTS AND FIXTURES

2 Dec : MALAYSIA 11 TIMOR LESTE 0/ THAILAND 1 VIETNAM 1

4 Dec : THAILAND 4 CAMBODIA 0/ VIETNAM 4 TIMOR LESTE 0

5 Dec: SINGAPORE 2 INDONESIA 2/ LAOS 1 MYANMAR 1

6 Dec : Vietnam vs Malaysia (1500hrs)/ Timor Leste vs Cambodia (1745hrs)

7 Dec: Myanmar vs Singapore (1500hrs)/ Indonesia vs Laos (1745hrs)

8 Dec : Timor Leste vs Thailand (1500hrs)/ Cambodia vs Malaysia (1745hrs)

10 Dec : Myanmar vs Indonesia (1500hrs)/ Laos vs Singapore (1745hrs)

11 Dec : Cambodia vs Vietnam (1500hrs)/ Malaysia vs Thailand (1500hrs)

14 Dec : Semi-finals

17 Dec: Third/ Fourth Placing (1500hrs at Chao Anu Vong Stadium)/ FINAL (1700hrs at Main Stadium). - AFF.