When Thailand kicked off their defense of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup on Tuesday at Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Cheras, they dominated Brunei 5-0. (Dec 20). In the nineteenth minute, Port FC Bordin Phala’s winger put Thailand on the board.
AFF Cup | Thailand beat Brunei 5-0
Thailand’s ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup defense got underway on Tuesday at Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Cheras, and the Thais promptly thumped Brunei 5-0 to open the season (Dec 20). The winger for Port FC Bordin Phala scored Thailand’s first goal in the nineteenth minute. Two minutes later, prolific scorer Teerasil Dangda made it 2-0. Brunei’s plight worsened in the 88th minute when Yura Yunos scored an own goal off a deflection.
The 5-0 defeat was completed in stoppage time by a pair of goals from the Thai sub, Peeradol Chamrasamee. With the victory, Thailand ascended to Group A on goal differential. At the same time, Cambodia sat in second place with three points after upsetting the Philippines 3-2 in their opening encounter at home.
The Cambodian team, coached by Ryu Hirose and playing at Phnom Penh’s Morodok Techno National Stadium, jumped off to an early lead thanks to goals from Reung Bunheing (16 minutes in) and Orn Chanpolin (20 minutes in).
Kenshiro Daniels scored for the Philippines in the 41st and 55th minutes to start a comeback and tie the game. Bunheing’s header for Cambodia four minutes later proved to be the game-winner, giving his team the hard-earned three points.
