Steven Danis
Women’s Football Correspondent
The 2019 AFF Women’s Championship launched in IPE (Institute of Physical Education) Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand on Thursday as the host Thailand was not in action for the first round of games in Group A, while the Philippines and Timor Leste earned their first wins over Malaysia and Singapore, and allowed them to become shared leaders of the group.
Malaysia, who met the Philippines in the first game, pressed a lot in the first 10 minutes and from striker Lovelytha Jelus and playmaker Dandee Rofinus, and eventually found the net through Kathleen Rodriguez after getting a rebound ball from her teammates shot which came off the bar.
In the second half, they added two more goals the early in the second period, starting with a same scheme from a long free kick taken by Claire Lim in 51st minutes, defender Hali Long, who standing on the penalty box hit a fine header into the far post that couldn’t be saved by Malaysian young goalkeeper, Nurul Azurin Mazlan. Kathleen then made her brace in this game nine minutes after Hali’s goal to seal the 3-0 win.
Later, Timor Leste shocked the Red Lionesses, Singapore, after a goalless game in the first half. They really shocked Danelle Tan and her colleagues when midfielder Luselia Fernandes made a goal from a direct corner kick in the 59th minute. Dollores Costa then doubled the lead in the 73rd minutes through a simple shot after passing through the Singapore defense. The game ended 2-1 after Danelle Tan converted a penalty from Timor Leste’s handball at the end of the game.