ASC 2020: Thailand 4-0 Myanmar
A brace from Teerasil Dangda helped Thailand to a 4-0 win over Myanmar that sends them top of the Group A standings and which has all but ended their opponents’ hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
Teerasil scored either side of the break to go joint top of the all-time AFF Suzuki Cup goalscoring chart with further goals from substitutes Worachit Kanitsribumphen and Supachok Sarachat rounding out the victory.
Coach Alexandre Polking said he was delighted by the win and also paid tribute to his captain after that those history-making goals.
“We’re very happy with the performance of the team, we made progress and controlled the game, the midfield especially, with players that are strong on the ball and created more clear chances,” said the Brazilian.
“As for Teerasil, he brings everything that a striker needs in terms of technique and of course especially a finish. I joke with him that he’s not so young anymore but you can still see the amazing quality he has.”
A very tight opening period saw the first chance of note arrive as Thailand took the lead midway through the half when a cross from Narubadin Weerawatnodom was expertly trapped by Teerasil before the veteran forward smashed home a powerful shot past Myo Min Latt in the Myanmar goal.
Manuel Bihr then forced the ‘keeper into a smart save with his foot from a Teerathon Bunmathan free-kick on the half hour before a long-range effort from Thanawat Suengchittawon was sent straight at Myo Min Latt three minutes later.
Chanathip Songkrasin then wasted a golden chance to double the lead as a mistake from Myanmar defender David Htan saw Teerasil feed the diminutive playmaker, whose chipped effort was cleared from close range by Hein Phyo Win.
A key intervention from Bihr then closed down a dangerous counter from Myanmar in the 40th minute as Thailand went to the break with their one-goal advantage intact.
That was a lead that would be doubled in the 53rd minute as Teerasil slotted home from the penalty spot after Hein Phyo Win clipped Bihr inside the box, a goal that drew him level with Noh Alam Shah as the greatest scorers in the history of the AFF Suzuki Cup.
Chances continued to be at a premium before Thailand put the game out of reach as a cross from the right from substitute Supachok was met by another recent arrival as Worachit swept home for his first international goal in the 78th minute.
Myanmar blew two good late chances – both through substitute Win Naing Tun – as he firstly failed to capitalise on a poor pass from goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom, hitting the base of the post in the 81st minute, and then striking the other post shortly afterwards.
They were made to pay for those misses as Supachok added a fourth in the second minute of stoppage time when he lashed home from close range to round out the win.
The defeat has made it all but impossible for Myanmar to now reach the last four but, despite that, coach Antoine Hey said that he was pleased with the reaction from his side under difficult circumstances.
“We are disappointed by the result but not by the performance of our players, they’re doing what they can at this point in time and tried everything possible,” said Hey.
“Again tonight we had no central defenders, we had a striker playing at left-back, we had more COVID issues as well so the players are doing everything they can.
“Also, my players swear that it was not a penalty that should have been awarded to Thailand and that changes the game, so if this was the case then we can say that today Thailand were lucky.”
