All too easy as Thailand cruise past Laos

PHUKET (8 Dec 2008) – Thailand confirmed their place in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 when they blasted Laos 6-0 in their second match of Group B here at the Surakul Stadium.  
  

The Thais, who had beaten Vietnam 2-0 in their first game, made sure of the win with goals off Suree Sukha in the 20th minute, Pattipan Phetphun (30th minute), Arthit Sunthornphit (40th and 52nd minute) and Anon Sangsanoi (79th and 89th). 
  
“It is a great position to be in. The game was played at a high tempo which I wanted and I was surprised by a few of the players,” said Peter Reid, the head coach for Thailand. 
  
“Perhaps that was the reason why I made ten changes to the line-up. It is no disrespect to Laos but with us having to play three matches in six days, we need to take care of the players.” 
  
The low-key match for the hosts gave them the confidence to field an almost second stringers with Suree Sukha and Niweat Siriwong the only two familiar faces in the Thai starting line-up. 
  
But in spite of the heavy rain, the more than 10,000 fans were at the stadium for a show, a football show of attacking football and that was what they got. 
  
Playing in slipper conditions do not make for the slick passes that the hosts were famous for but they did have enough talent in their second squad to put pressure on the largely inexperienced Laotian. 
  
Ronnachai Rangsiyo tested Laos keeper Sengpachan Bounthisanh with a grounder early in the fourth minute which missed the upright while several minutes later, Arthit Sunthornphit’s freekick forced a clearance from Laos defender Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya on the line. 
  
But in the 20th minute, Vietnam finally went ahead when Suree scored the opener with a superb flick. 
  
Laos tried to get back into the match when they introduced Phayvanh Lounglath but it was the Thais who went further ahead with the second goal of the game when Pattipan Phetphun blasted in a corner right at the half hour mark. 
  
And five minutes to the break, the Thais went 3-0 up when Arthit floated in a freekick for them to be comfortably in front.

Thailand continued very much in the same vein after the break as Arthit nailed his second of the evening and Thailand’s fourth goal with another well-taken freekick on 52nd minute. 
  
Anon Sangsanoi then grabbed a brace for himself with two goals in the closing stages – the first from inside the box in the 79th minute and then a swerving freekick a minute to the end. 
  
“In spite of the loss, I am satisfied with the team,” added Saysana Klaysang, the head coach of Laos. 
  
“But the Thais were just too good with the freekicks and long passes.” 
  
LAOS: Sengphachan Bounthisanh, Saynakhonvieng Phommmaya, Kitsada Thongkhen, Ketsada Souksavanh, Kovanh Namthavixay, Chandalaphone Liemvisay, Sounthalay Xaysongkham, Viengsavanh Sayyaboun, Kaysone Soukhavong, Vongphet Sylisay, Sangvone keovilay. 
  
  
THAILAND: Sutee Sukha, Patiparn Phetphun, Niweat Siriwong, Ronnachai Rangsiyo, Tana Chanabut, Anon Sansanoi, Arthit Sunthornphit, Kosin Hathairattanakool, Phichitphong Choeichiu, Salahudin Awae, Rangsan Vivatchaichok.