AFF Suzuki Cup Group B Matchday 1

Syazwan Zainon celebrated his goal for Malaysia
Photo Courtesy AFF/ESPNFC

Yesterday sees the opening matches for group B in this years AFF Suzuki Cup which are composed of 2010 Champions Malaysia, 2008 Champions Vietnam, the exciting young team of Cambodia and the host nation Myanmar

Malaysia 3-2 Cambodia

With Vietnam and host nation Myanmar next for them, this is clearly an important game for Malaysia to win, while at the same time Cambodia being underdogs has nothing to lose in their opening match of the 2016 Suzuki Cup. It was the Cambodia who took the lead in just 8 minutes courtesy of the exciting prospect Chan Vathanaka who scored a goal despite the Malaysian players protesting that he was offside, but replay showed otherwise that the ball went to Vathanaka courtesy of a Malaysian player who kicked the ball to his direction which was the reason why he was not called offside. The Malaysian players continue to dominate the possession but the equalizer only arrived in the 37th minute after Syazwon Zainon scored after got away from his defender courtesy of his great first touch. After the Tigers scored the equalizer many believed that in the 2nd half they will win comfortably, but Vathanaka once again put Cambodia in front in the 59th minute, to prove that he can also score a goal even with defenders around him. However Amri Yahyah put his team level in the 69th minute from close range from Hazwan Bakri's assist. Amri finally put Malaysia in front for the first time of the match in the 80th minute after another close range shot this time it was assisted by Safee Sali. Malaysia also hit the crossbar twice in the match which gave hope for the Cambodian players. However Malaysia showed their superiority and stole the match from them.

Myanmar 1-2 Vietnam

With Myanmar playing in front of their home crowd this is certainly not an easy game for the favorites of the group, and in just the 24th minute they were already 1-0 up thanks to Nguyen Van Quyet's right foot that found the bottom left corner of the goal and left the keeper no chance to save it. The scored remained that way until the 73rd minute when Aung Thu equalizes the match for Myanmar with a fantastic goal when he scored from outside the box, which was assisted to him by Myo Ko Tun. However in the 80th minute Le Cong Vinh, the same player who clinched the 2008 championship for Vietnam scored the winning goal when he scored inside the box that found the top right corner of the goal to take all three points in this pivotal match up.