TWO goals by Aubi Pangindian in the 18th and 20th minute of play helped Guam to a 2-1 win over host Vietnam in the opening day of the 2012 AFC U13 Girls Football Tournament in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Guam’s defense stepped up to preserve Guam’s 2-0 first-half advantage, only allowing the Vietnam girls’ team to score once in the 41st minute of the 50-minute match.
Following Guam’s victory Saturday, the team fell to Thailand 4-0 Sunday. Thailand currently leads the rankings with an unblemished 2-0 record. Before the team’s win against Guam, Thailand beat Myanmar 3-2.
Following Sunday’s matches, four teams – Myanmar, Vietnam, Philippines, and Guam – are tied with a 1-1 record.
Based on goal differential, Myanmar is in second place, losing to Thailand 3-2 and defeating Cambodia 6-0. Vietnam is next, earning a 3-0 win over the Philippines after losing to Guam. The Philippines trails Vietnam in the rankings after falling to the host country 3-0. The Philippines’ win came against the winless Cambodia 5-1. Guam is in fifth place overall following the loss to Thailand.
A video feature on the Guam team by AFC can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Il0LzfIa4.
The CNMI U13 girls' team, which is playing in Group B of the same AFC tournament in Nanjing, China, was blanked by Japan and DPR Korea. The CNMI later will face host China, Chinese Taipei and South Korea in the tournament.
(Information obtained from a press release.)
