Rampant co-host Thailand go top, Myanmar and Malaysia draw

Sorayoot missed a good opportunity to hit a hat-trick before half-time as he missed from the spot.

The striker of Vietnamese league PISICO Binh Dinh squandered several chances in the second half when the Thais needed the fourth goal to go top. Substitute Samana scored the fourth with six minutes left.

The Thais had four changes in their starting XI. Nirut Surasiang, who missed the opening game with Myanmar, came in for Hadthporn Suwan as an anchor midfielder. Choketawee Promrut occupied Niweat Siriwong”s position at centreback as Niweat made a mistake, letting Shi Thu Win open the scoring for Myanmar. Sorayoot Chaikamdee and Pipat Thonkanya led the Thai attacking line instead of Kiatisuk Senamuang and Khwanchai Phuangprakob.

The Thai started the game in aggressively as they needed to score as many goals as possible to surpass Malaysia, who drew 0-0 with Myanmar.

After wasting several good chances, the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute. Sutee Suksomkit released Sorayoot with a precision pass and the striker beat goalie Luis Michel Casas with low shot from a narrow angle.

Six minutes later, Suchao Nutnum, who equalised in the stoppage time for Thailand in their opening game, produced a good cross for Pipat, who lobbed the ball past onrushing Casas to make it 2-0 for the home side.

After taking a 2-0 lead easily, the Thais completely dominated the game and Sutee and Pipat had chances to score. Sutee was denied by Casas while Pipat flicked the ball over the bar.

However, the home side”s overwhelming dominance was turned into the third goal after 28 minutes. Pipat produced a precise far post cross for Sorayoot to head home. Thai fans in the Supachalasai stadium started their wild celebration.

Sorayoot had a good opportunity to be the first player to hit a hat-trick in the 2007 AFF championship as he took a spot kick after Suree Sukka was brought down in the penalty box by Emilio Caligdong. The PISICO Binh Dinh striker beat Casas, sending him to a wrong way but hit the post.     

After the break, the Philippines were completely different. They started to push the hosts all the way. Christopher Robert Greatwich after a one-two exchange with Alvin Valeroso forced Kosin Hathairattanakool to make a good save. Greatwich then saw his freekick flew centimetres over the bar.

The hosts recovered after the first 15 minutes after the break with Suree tested Casas with a shot from the right edge of the box, which was palmed away.

On the opposite side, Kosin had to punch away Greatwich headers.

Samana was brought on for Nattaporn Phanrit was out due to an injury in the 61st minutes, and after 23 minutes, he scored the fourth goal for the Thais.

Before Samana”s goal, Sarayoot wasted many good opportunities as his shots were saved by Casas or went wide.

With four goals scored against the Philippines, who had lost to Thailand in all four previous meetings in the 1996 Tiger Cup (5-0), the 1998 Tiger Cup (3-1), the 2000 Tiger Cup (2-0) and the 2004 Tiger Cup (3-1), Thailand lead Malaysia in goal difference to go to Group A. The Thais need a draw in their final game with Malaysia on Tuesday to go through to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Philippines have become the first team eliminated from the tournament.

In another match, Malaysia held Myanmar to a 0-0 draw. The two sides had their own chances but the match ended 0-0.

Myanmar could have been in the lead but the impressive Yan Paing hit the post in the ninth minute after being put clear by an exquisite through ball from Aung Myint Aye.

Malaysian goalkeeper Syamsuri made several good saves to deny the Myanmar side while young second goalie Kyaw Zin Htet produced an impressive run, saving Nizarudin Yusof’s 19th minute shot.             

After the draw, Myanmar need to score at least four goals against the Philippines to go through.

Nhan dan