AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 semi finals kicked off last night with Indonesia taking on Vietnam at the Stadion Pakansari in Bogor. Among the huge crowd was the Indonesian President Joko Widodo who will be very pleased with the result. The crowd played its part at the start of the match and Indonesia duly replied with a goal in the seventh minute from Hansamu Pranata. The goal came from a corner played by Rizki Pora with Hansamu Pranata on hand to make it one nil to the Garudas. This sparked the game for the Vietnamese into life.
Vietnam equalize from the spot in the semi final at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016
Pressure from Vietnam brought about a penalty when Le Cong Vinh was tripped inside the area. Nguyen Van Quyet duly stepped up to strike home and give the visitors the equalizer. The penalty was taken in the 17th minute.
Indonesia would then take more control of the game and have the greater possession as well as shots on target. The teams entered the break at half time at 1-1. The tournament semi-final second half got underway and straight from the start the Garudas went for it. The lively Stefano Lillipaly sprinted into the box in the 50th minute and was tripped by Que Ngoc Hai. The resulting penalty taken by Bolas Salossa gave Indonesia a 2-1 lead.
The Vietnamese missed a glorious chance in the 70th minute when Van Quyet put his header past the post. The Indonesians held on thought to keep their dream alive of reaching the Final.
Myanmar vs Thailand in the other semi-final at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016
The Vietnamese will hold out hope though with the return leg on Wednesday at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi.There should be a big crowd to cheer them on at the 7pm (Thailand Time) kick off.
Thailand meet the co-hosts Myanmar later today at the Thuwanna Stadium in Yangon. The game should be played in front of a full house with Myanmar hoping to get one over their neighbors. Thailand go into the game as favorites and are seeking to win the AFF tournament for a record fifth time.
The final of this years AFF Suzuki Cup is played over 2 legs on the 14th and 17th of December.
