MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Back home in Thailand, 18-year old Arriya Saetoen
is currently in search of a scholarship that will allow her to get into university.
After the results of last Monday evening’s (November 18) 2-1 triumph over
hard-fighting Myanmar, Arriya has put Thailand two steps closer to the first
ever AFF Women’s Futsal Championship following her assist to Sangrawee
Meekham and her match-winning goal.
The game had all the makings of a repeat of Thailand’s grind-it-out match
against Indonesia in the tournament opener when they scored a goal with
under five minutes to play that sailed in following a deflection.
If fans and football observers came into the game thinking it would be a
blowout win for Thailand after their master class of destruction with a 7-0
result over the Philippines, they were sadly mistaken. Myanmar’s defense was
resolute and steadfast with goalkeeper Chaw Sandi Aung’s disregard for her
safety.
Thailand teed off on Myanmar’s goal with an incredible barrage, but Aung’s
heroics and the post as well as the crossbar kept the latter in the game.
Coach Sarupong Plyouwong’s squad found their breakthrough when Arriya
found Meekham for a close range shot that breached Myanmar’s defense, 1-
nil, at the 17:21 mark of the second half.
Myanmar was not without their chances Yun Me Me Lwin’s spectacular free
kick from the right hand side escaped Thailand keeper Sasiprapha Suksen
that leveled the match at the 6:19 mark.
A little over a minute later, Arriya scored after Jenjira Bubpha found her
following a right corner kick.
Instead of folding with time running out, Myanmar fought back and had
several chances to draw level including a last second header by Nang Sem
Brim that sailed over Thailand’s goal right before the final buzzer.
