UBON RATCHATHANI – The national football team advanced to the final of the Asean University Games (AUG) here despite losing 1-2 to Laos in their last group match yesterday.
The squad coached by Ridzuan Abu Shah confirmed their slot by virtue of having a superior goal tally over Laos, assuring them of their place in the final against Thailand on Friday.
Both teams ended their first-round campaign with four points.
In the round-robin format match played at the Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University Stadium, Laos took the lead as early as the fifth minute through Akkhom Thoranin before Vanna Bounlovongsa put his team 2-0 ahead in the 57th minute.
However, Malaysia pulled one back through Saiful Iskandar Adna Saiful Azlan two minutes later, which was enough to book their berth in the final when the score remained that way until the final whistle.
“Proud of the boys and I believe they will put up a better showing in the final,” Ridzuan told reporters at the end of the game.
The national team defeated Myanmar 2-1 before playing to a 2-2 draw against Thailand in their second match. – Bernama, August 3, 2022
