Vietnam lose 2-1 to hosts in King"s Cup opener
Two goals by Sorayoot Chaikamdee and Datsakorn Thonglao helped host Thailand come from behind to beat Vietnam 2-1 in their opening match of the 2006…
The Vietnamese side surprisingly went ahead after 35 minutes with Thanh Binh quicker than Thai defender Phanrit in getting the ball in. Before the Vietnamese side scored, the Thai hosts created many opportunities.
However, one minute later, Sorayoot Chaikamdee, who had missed some opportunities, equalised as he headed in from a close range.
Seventeen minutes into the second half, Datsakorn Thonglao made it 2-1 for the hosts after a neat through ball from captain Kiatisuk Senamuang.
Striker Le Cong Vinh wasted a good opportunity
The Vietnamese national team started the game with goalkeeper Bui Quang Huy, defenders Phung Van Nhien, Nguyen Minh Duc, Vu Nhu Thanh and Nguyen Van Bien, midfielders Le Tan Tai, Nguyen Huu Thang, Nguyen Minh Phuong and Mai Tien Thanh, and forwards Phan Thanh Binh and Le Cong Vinh.
Meanwhile, the Thais recalled veterans Kitisak Rawangpa, Kiatisuk Senamuang, Nirut Surasiang, Niweat Siriwong, Nataporn Phanrit and Sorayoot Chaikamdee, who have played for Vietnamese clubs in the Vietnamese League for years.
Nirut had was the first Thai player coming close as his shot in the far corner went centimetres wide.
Sorayoot was the Thai striker to many chances in the first half. In the 14th minute, Sorayoot ran past two Vietnamese defenders Van Nhien and Minh Duc but was unable to produce a finish.
The Thai striker, who is playing for PISICO Binh Dinh of Vietnam, was then blocked by Van Nhien from a narrow angle as the ball fell onto his path after Quang Huy”s palmed Sutee Suksomkit”s corner.
Sorayoot then had another opportunity, gifted by Vietnamese skipper Minh Phuong, who lost the possession just outside the penalty box, but failed to score.
Thanh Binh and Tan Tai combined on the right flank for Tan Tai to produce a good cross for Cong Vinh, whose header deflected a Thai defender”s back, and Thanh Binh headed in the rebound. Goalie Kitisak failed to catch the ball and Thanh Binh was quicker than Phanrit to shot the ball into the net.
The hosts levelled one minute later with unmarked Sorayoot cancelling out Thanh Binh”s effort. The striker flew to head the ball in from a close range after goalkeeper Quang Huy failed to clear a cross from Phanchai.
Datsakorn Thonglao came very close as his freekick was punched by goalkeeper Quang Huy.
Five minutes into the second half, Sorayoot found Quang Huy”s net but he was flagged offside.
Coach Alfred Riedl made two changes with Le Hong Minh coming for Nguyen Huu Thang and Nguyen Vu Phong replacing Mai Tien Thanh.
Thonglao helped the hosts go ahead as he finished calmly after a neat through ball from captain Kiatisuk. Thonglao broke the offside trap before beating goalkeeper Quang Huy with a shot to the far corner, while Vietnamese defenders paid their attention to Sorayoot, who stood behind the Vietnamese defence, but inactive in the situation.
Coach Riedl had to bring on Huynh Quang Thanh to replace Minh Duc, who was seen to limp off the field.
Cong Vinh squandered a good opportunity to equalise after a good work by Tan Tai who ran past two Thai defenders. With only centreback Niweat and goalkeeper Kitisak, Tan Tai passed the ball to Cong Vinh, who controlled the ball before shooting over the bar.
Nhan dan
