FIFA ASEAN Cup Group B: Thailand Thrash Pakistan, Vietnam Edge Philippines in Bandung

Group B of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup got under way on Saturday 26 September at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, and the two traditional powers delivered opening wins. Thailand swept past guest nation Pakistan 4-0, while Vietnam needed a stoppage-time save to hold on for a 1-0 victory over the Philippines.

Thailand 4-0 Pakistan

Thailand made light work of Pakistan, who are competing as guest participants and are ranked 198th in the world. The Pakistanis, coached by former Peru international Nolberto Solano, began in an organised shape but were undone before half-time.

Goals:

• Teerasak Poeiphimai (31', 77')
• Jude Soonsup-Bell (41')
• Haris Zeb own goal (60')

Teerasak opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark and Soonsup-Bell doubled the lead before the interval. Solano made three changes at the break, sending on Shayek Dost, Hayyan Khattak and Alamgir Ghazi for Ali Raza, Ali Agha and Abdullah Shah, but the fresh legs could not stem the tide. An own goal from Haris Zeb made it three on the hour, and Teerasak completed the scoring with his second in the 77th minute.

Vietnam 1-0 Philippines

The second game on a rain-slicked pitch was far tighter. The Philippines started brightly and came within inches of taking the lead in the 23rd minute when Randy Schneider hit the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Vietnam struck on the counter. Le Pham Thanh Long's through ball found Williams Minh Hoang, whose cross took a deflection and fell for Nguyen Dinh Bac to tap in from close range.

The Philippines kept pushing and had moments that could have changed the match:

• A red card shown to Philippines defender Jesper Nyholm was overturned after a VAR review.
• Substitute Kenji Nishioka thought he had equalised late on, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
• In stoppage time, Vietnam goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang made a point-blank save from Sebastian Rasmussen's header to protect the lead.

The win gives head coach Kim Sang-sik's side three points to start the campaign.

Group B standings

After the opening round, Thailand top the group on goal difference ahead of Vietnam, both with three points. The Philippines and Pakistan are yet to get off the mark.

What's next in Group B

The next round is headlined by a heavyweight showdown between Vietnam and Thailand, which could effectively decide the group. Pakistan face the Philippines on 29 September before finishing against Vietnam on 2 October.

As with Group A, where Malaysia and Indonesia are both on three points, only the group winner advances to the Premier Division final in Jakarta on 5 October. That puts a premium on every goal, and Thailand's four-goal haul could prove useful if the group comes down to goal difference.

Why it matters for Malaysian fans

With only one finalist emerging from each group, the Group B winner will be the opponent waiting in the final should Harimau Malaya top Group A. On early evidence, that is likely to be either Thailand or Vietnam, two sides Malaysia know well from regional competition.

Key takeaways

• Thailand beat Pakistan 4-0 in Bandung, with Teerasak Poeiphimai scoring twice.
• Nguyen Dinh Bac's 25th-minute goal gave Vietnam a 1-0 win over the Philippines.
• VAR ruled out a late Philippines equaliser and overturned a red card for Jesper Nyholm.
• Vietnam vs Thailand is the next big Group B fixture.
• Only the group winners reach the 5 October final in Jakarta.

FAQ

Who scored for Thailand against Pakistan? Teerasak Poeiphimai scored twice and Jude Soonsup-Bell once, with the other goal an own goal by Pakistan's Haris Zeb.

Where are Group B matches played? The opening round was held at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, Indonesia.

How many teams reach the final? One from each Premier Division group, with the final in Jakarta on 5 October.

Sources: Dawn, VnExpress International, Tuoi Tre News, Khel Now, FIFA