Thailand overcame a spirited Myanmar and their noisy fans 3-0 in the final of the SEA Games football tournament on Monday to cement their position as kings of the region.
Centreback Tanaboon Kesarat, who helped the men’s full national team win the Southeast Asian championships in December, struck the opening goal, neatly angling his body and diverting a 51st minute home after Myanmar failed to clear a corner.
Chananan Pombubpha, who had been guilty of wasting a number of chances beforehand, made the game safe when he was put clear by playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin in the 63rd with substitute Pinyo Inpinit wrapping up the scoring with 12 minutes remaining.
The victory was the Thai’s 15th football gold in the biennial multi-sports event and 10th in the last 12 editions. The under-23s won all sevens games in Singapore, conceding just one goal.
Head coach Choketawee Promrut told reporters it was the best Thai under-23 winning side to win the SEA Games title and said a halftime tactical switch won gold.
“In the first half, Myanmar were compact, very good. In the dressing room (we said that) we must play wide. It worked.”
The Thai’s started Monday’s final as red hot favourites and carved open numerous opportunities but a combination of wasteful finishing, in particular by Chananan, and superb stops by Myanmar goalkeeper Phyo Kyaw Zin kept the match scoreless.
The Thailand team celebrates winning the gold medal. Photo: SINGSOC
Every defensive clearance roundly cheered by the majority Myanmar crowd in the National Stadium who came in hope of a first football gold in the under-23 event since 1973, also in Singapore.
The longer the match stayed goalless the more they believed an upset was possible by their team, who had over-achieved in reaching the final for the first time since 1993 and had adopted the slogan “no stars, no problem”.
But eventually their resistance was broken when an inswinging corner from their right bounced off Ye Ko Oo and fell to the grateful Tanaboon.
The goal brought about a drop in defensive concentration and Chananan wasted one chance clear on goal before eventually finding the net after the talented Chanathip had dispossessed the unfortunate Ye Ko Oo in midfield and sent him through again.
Myanmar pressed for a way back into the game through the lively Shine Thura in attack but they were restricted to shots from long range before Pinyo trickled home a third after a delightful dinked through ball by skipper Sarach Yooyen.
“We missed our target, I’m very sad for our fans,” said Myanmar coach Kyi Lwin, who was part of the team that lost to Thailand in the 1993 final in Singapore.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Malaysian gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi has received a slew of criticisms from Muslims who attacked her for showing her “aurat” and the “shape of her vagina” in a leotard despite winning a gold medal at the SEA Games.
Several Facebook users slammed the 21-year-old Malay woman on Buletin TV3’s Facebook page that had uploaded Wednesday a photograph of her in the gymnastics outfit, along with a caption that announced her winning gold in floor exercise in artistic gymnastics.
“Until she’s dead too people can see the shape of her vagina and aurat,” wrote a Facebook user called Muhammad Nur Salam.
Facebook user called Amir Muhd said: “Just strip off your clothes lah… let everyone see.”
Another Facebook user said Farah Ann’s dressing was even worse than non-Muslims’ in terms of showing her “aurat”.
“This is the joy of the temporal world…even though our afterlife will be full of pain from Allah swt, what is it compared to the medal hung around that neck if our spirit in the afterlife suffer one day later,” wrote Addieputra Jentayu.
A screen capture showing the facebook post by Buletin TV3.Both Muslim women and men are prohibited in Islam from exposing their aurat, though criticisms are more often targeted against women.
Other Muslim Facebook users, however, have come to Farah Ann’s defence.
“So disgusting reading these religious comments from the so-called future members of heaven… just ignore them… Congratulations Farah Ann, it’s not easy to get a gold medal for Malaysia,” wrote Dina Nida.
A Facebook user called Siti Kasim congratulated the young athlete, saying: “Ignore those retards who can’t see beyond their limited brain capacity! Keep up the good work! We are proud of you!”
Singapore news website The New Paper reported that Farah Ann had pulled off a flawless floor routine to score 13.733, beating Indonesia and Vietnam.
The Malaysian athlete also reportedly won three bronze medals and a silver in individual events.
A Filipino diver who became a laughing stock online after a video of his failed dive went viral, has come back with a retort worthy of a perfect 10.
Local humour site SGAG uploaded a clip of John David Pahoyo’s botched attempt in the men’s 3m springboard event on Facebook late on Wednesday night, which has racked up more than 1.1 million views and over 10,000 likes in just under a day.
Among those who found the post funny was none other than Pahoyo himself. But more than just being able to laugh about it, the 17-year-old said that it was important to not only laugh at yourself, but also pick oneself up and try and try again.
Friends do not let friends do silly things alone… in this case getting ZERO POINTS for Diving at SEA GAMES 2015!…
In a reply to the SGAG video posted in the comments section that drew close to 4,000 likes, he said: “I even laughed at myself after I did this dive hehe.
“But after all this was not the first time I failed a dive, and I was not the first one who did so. And I am still proud because not all of us has the privilege to represent our own country to such a big sporting event like this. And by the way can I ask all of you if you can still smile after getting embarrassed in front of thousands of people?”
The 17-year-old also posted a video of him and compatriot John Elmerson Fabriga executing a successful dive in the men’s synchronised 3m springboard on his own Facebook page, with the caption “Why share our failed dives when you can share the dives that we did well?”
Yey! I’m so proud of us pakner John Fabriga, we really did our best despite of we just practiced this synchro dives for just 4 days, even though we failed to win, but atleast we did overcame what we once knew was out limit, and that makes us a champion <3 Thanks coach Brian Palattao for your endless support and immeasurable love to us from the preparation until the end of this competition, and special thanks to the people who’s doing their best to make this experience possible, I owe you all of this 🙂 #SG2015 #SEA #Games #Singapore #Diving #Pilipinas
SGAG’s 82-second video starts off with Fabriga attempting his fourth dive on the 3m springboard at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on June 6, which ends in embarrassing fashion after he landed on his back with a huge splash.
Fabriga is then followed by Pahoyo, who emulates his good friend and partner by executing a near-exact copy of the failed dive.
Both received a zero for their attempts. They eventually finished the event in the last two positions after six dives.
The majority of netizens who saw the post poked fun at both men, although a vocal minority defended them.
The duo, however, could be in trouble for their poor performances, with Philippine Sport Commission chairman Richie Garcia reportedly seeking an explanation from the country’s aquatics chief Mark Joseph.
“I will give the opportunity for the Philippine Swimming Inc. president to explain because he fought for these divers to come here and compete,” Garcia told Filipino website Inquirer.net.
He also questioned if they did it on purpose.
AFP reported that there were poor showings as well from competitors in the women’s 10m platform event, as several landed awkwardly in the water despite choosing to dive from lower heights. Competitors had the option to jump from either 7.5m or 5m as well, although that meant that they earned fewer points.
With five more days to go till the end of the SEA Games, there have been many memorable moments to savour and debate over.
While there surely will be plenty more sporting and non-sporting milestones to come, The Straits Times takes a look at the top 11 so far.
1. Stunning Schooling
Joseph Schooling raising two fingers to his lips in celebration after winning the men’s 50m freestyle in a new national record of 22.47 seconds on June 8, 2015. — ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Nine golds in nine events. Six individual Games records. And the breaking of a 50m freestyle mark that had stood for 32 years. If there ever was any shred of doubt in swimmer Joseph Schooling’s ability to deliver, there can be none now.
Singapore’s swimming wonderboy has even caught the attention of English Premier League champions Chelsea, who featured an interview with him on their website.
The former national captain, who has been under fire from fans for his team’s poor performances, choked back tears as he announced the news during the post-match press conference. “I thank you all for your support. I want to go back to my family now. They have been waiting for me for a long time,” he said.
3. Shanti’s blaze of glory
Sprinter Shanti Pereira, holding the Singapore flag, makes her victory lap after winning the women’s 200m race on June 10, 2015. — PHOTO: SINGAPORE SEA GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE/ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
Not since 1973 has a Singapore female sprinter tasted victory in the 200m race. But an undaunted Shanti Pereira emulated the great Glory Barnabas by doing just that, lowering the national record twice in the process on Wednesday (June 10)
“I’m so crazily happy, I can’t describe how I feel right now,” said the 18-year-old, whose time of 23.60 seconds beat pre-race favourite and 100m winner Kayla Richardson of the Philippines.
4. Decathlete Lance Tan proposes to girlfriend
Sometimes, winning takes a backseat to more important things in life. Singaporean decathlete Lance Tan, 28, might have finished last in most of his events in the men’s decathlon, but he ended his SEA Games on a sweet note after proposing to his long-time girlfriend. She said yes, to loud cheers from the crowd at the National Stadium.
He might have missed out on a medal, but he got the girl.
5. Team Singapore’s rapid gold rush
Singapore netballers posing with their gold medal after a historic win over Malaysian in the final on June 7, 2015. — ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG
Even Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong admitted he was surprised at how quick Singapore beat its previous record haul of 50 golds, set in 1993.
It surpassed the milestone on Day 4 (June 9) of the competition, when swimmer Quah Zheng Wen won the men’s 400m individual medley. It was Singapore’s historic 51st gold of these Games. It was also the nation’s 800th gold overall.
ST has predicted that Team Singapore could have 80 golds by the end of the Games. It is a tall, perhaps overly ambitious ask. But one the Class of 2015 may actually deliver.
6. National Anthem pride
Singapore’s female quartet of Quah Ting Wen, Amanda Lim, Rachel Tseng and Christie Chue thanking the crowd after their 4x200m freestyle relay win on June 8, 2015. — ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
The track for the National Anthem Majulah Singapura stopped midway through the victory ceremony for the Singapore women’s 4x200m freestyle relay quartet of Quah, Christie Chue, Amanda Lim and Rachel Tseng on June 8 due to a faulty PA system. But the patriotic crowd were in fine voice and carried on singing. A truly proud moment for Singapore at the Games.
Watch the video below from just before the 5min mark.
7. Sportsmanship still exists
Ashley Liew crossing the finishing line in the men’s marathon on June 7, 2015. — ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Singaporean runner Ashley Liew’s actions during the men’s marathon on June 7 has been lauded by several ministers, including Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Grace Fu and Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, who congratulated Liew on Facebook for “making us proud, as Singaporeans”.
Singaporean marathoner Ashley Liew displayed true sportsmanship during the SEA GAMES 2015 He was trailing in the…
At one point during the race, the 28-year-old found himself with a 50m lead after the 12 other runners took the wrong route. But instead of capitalising on his advantage, he slowed down to give his competitors time to catch up. Liew eventually finished eighth in the race, which was won by compatriot Soh Rui Yong.
8. Gender bender
Female Indonesian volleyball player Aprilia Santini Manganang in action against Vietnam on June 11, 2015. — PHOTO: SINGAPORE SEA GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE/ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
Controversy arrived in the form of a protest over the gender of female Indonesian volleyball player Aprilia Santini Manganang. The Philippines had demanded that the Games organisers carry out a gender test, citing Manganang’s appearance and powerful physique as too masculine. The appeal was rejected.
“Thank you,” she said in Bahasa Indonesia. “(The controversy) gave me more spirit to play and win during the match.”
9. Outpouring of emotion for Sabah earthquake victims
Singapore (right) and Cambodian footballers standing in unison as they observe a minute of silence as a mark of respect for the victims of the Sabah earthquake at the Jalan Besar Stadium on June 8, 2015. — ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG
A shadow was cast over the Games when the opening ceremony on June 5 coincided with a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Sabah, which claimed the lives of 10 people from Singapore.
The Singapore Government declared June 8 a Day of Remembrance to pay tribute to the victims, with all SEA Games venues observing a minute of silence as a mark of respect. Many Team Singapore athletes, including the Under-23 football squad, the national paddlers and men’s hockey team, paid emotional visits to the tribute corner set up at Tanjong Katong Primary School.
10. Football’s father-son pair light Games cauldron
Football legend Fandi Ahmad (right) and his eldest son Irfan carrying the torch at the SEA Games opening ceremony on June 5, 2015. — ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Singapore’s favourite footballing son Fandi Ahmad and his eldest son Irfan were handed the honour of being the final torchbearers in a stunning finale to the SEA Games opening ceremony, ending in the duo lighting the cauldron.
At 17, Irfan is also the youngest member of the Young Lions and looks poised to follow in his famous father’s footsteps.
11. Foreign athletes who have lit up the Games
Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Anh Vien smiling after she wins the women’s 400m freestyle on June 10, 2015. — ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Not content to see Joseph Schooling basking alone in the swimming limelight, Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Anh Vien emerged as the Games’ undisputed female swim star. The 18-year-old racked up eight golds – one behind Schooling – and five meet records.
Her compatriots in the artistic gymnastic events were not to be denied either, winning nine of the 14 gold medals on offer, with Dinh Phuong Tanh winning gold in the parallel and horizontal bars, individual all-around, and men’s team events.
In diving, Malaysia’s utter domination at the regional level continued as they made a clean sweep of all eight diving golds – 21-year-old Ooi Tze Liang led the way with four. Filipino track stars Eric Cray and Kayla Richardson took the 100m sprint titles.
In table tennis, Thailand’s inspired female paddlers were the reason why Singapore failed to win all seven table tennis golds. Feng Tianwei was shocked by Suthasini Sawettabut– the eventual women’s singles champion – in the group stages.
Like the previous three SEA Games matches, Aide Iskandar arrived at the post-match press conference late. But the writing was on the wall last night when the Young Lions coach arrived teary-eyed and sniffling after Singapore lost 1-0 to Indonesia and were booted out of the Games football competition.
In what was expected, the 40-year-old announced he was not only resigning as coach of Singapore’s under-23 squad, but quitting the Football Association of Singapore. He delivered a short speech thanking the FAS for their trust when they hired him in 2013 to take charge of the side preparing for the SEA Games in Singapore.
But it has been a painful campaign for Aide, wrought by a lucklustre 1-0 win over the Philippines on June 1, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Myanmar three days later, and struggling to keep their hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Cambodia on Monday (June 9).
A week before the start of the competition, he controversially dropped forward Iqbal Hussain, who had been a key figure in the under-23 side.
Summarising his two-year tenure, Aide said he tried to build a team for the Games but faced a lot of challenges along the way, including the loss of key players in striker Shahfiq Ghani and defender Ammirul Adli.
Thanking everyone who had supported him and the Young Lions, including Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, the FAS, Sports Singapore and the fans despite not posting “the best of results”.
Added Aide: “I am very proud of my boys, they gave their best and pushed to get the goal and equaliser even though we were a man down. This is something rare to see from a Singapore side.
“For your information, I just resigned and I have informed the players and told them the journey still has to go on for them as they are still young and they can only get better. I’ve also told them that failures can only make them stronger.
He ended the press conference saying that he had to go back to his family who “has been waiting for me for a very long time. I think it is best that I have to go back to them”.
Aide refused to take questions and left abruptly, leaving more questions about the state of football in Singapore.
This is not the first time he has quit a national post. In 2007, he resigned suddenly as captain of the national team before the start of Singapore’s crucial World Cup qualifying tie against Tajikistan. He was unhappy for being dropped from then coach Raddy Avramovic’s starting line-up in a previous match against Palestine.
Last night’s drama came after Singapore’s game was marred by the same issues that have been plaguing them: Mindless passes, silly tackles and shots that went everywhere but at goal.
The comedy of errors reached a climax in the 84th minute when Suria Prakash and Adam Swandi were floored after clashing with one another in an attempt to control a loose ball on the edge of the Indonesian 12-yard box.
The game was all but over for them a minute after the break when Indonesian playmaker Evan Diman Darmono sent a scorcher into the roof of the Singapore goal.
The dagger was plunged deeper 20 minutes later when Ho Wai Loon was sent off by South Korean referee Kim Kee-gon for a second bookable offence. It was an inept performance by a Singapore side that never had the quality to go far in the Games.
FAS president Zainudin Nordin issued a statement that read: “I can understand why Aide has made this decision at this point of time. Hopefully, after a few days’ rest, we can have a discussion with him and persuade him to change his mind.
“Regardless of how we have fared at the SEA Games, Aide is a good coach and has a long and bright future ahead of him.”
The Thailand team celebrates winning the gold medal. Photo: SINGSOC
