Kiatisak content with draw in opener
Late Pinyo goal steals a point from Saudis
DOHA: Charismatic coach Kiatisak Senamuang says falling two points short of the targeted three following a 1-1 tie with Saudi Arabia in the Thai team’s Asian U23 Championship opener on Wednesday night “isn’t so bad”.
The Thais were staring at defeat before Pinyo Inpinit capitalised on a defensive blunder by Saudi Arabia to produce the equaliser in the 84th minute and cancel out an earlier strike by Mohammed Al Saiari.
A defeat in their first match of the tournament, which has three 2016 Rio Olympic berths at stake, would have deflated Thais’ confidence and made their bid to qualify for the quarter-finals an uphill battle. Top two teams from each of the four groups make it to the knockout stage.
A beaming Kiatisak told reporters after the match: “Our main strategy was to not concede an early goal and we did really well in the first half.
“We tried to alter the game plan in the second half. We played a bit more aggressively and created a few good chances.”
Kiatisak added: “Our actual target for the game was sweeping three points but gaining one point isn’t so bad. At least, it is a great way to thank our fans who have always been supporting us.
“It [the draw] shows that we aren’t underdogs anymore, at least not in this tournament.
“Every player did very well in the match but we do need to put on a better show in the offence as we were quite wayward tonight. After we equalised, we were confident and our goalkeeper Somporn [Yos] was exceptional.”
The Thais are next scheduled to play hot-favourites Japan in their second Group B match tomorrow. Japan edged North Korea, the fourth team in the group, 1-0 in their first game of the championship on Wednesday.
Kiatisak admitted that it will be tough game, but added: “We are hoping to win the match.
“We had sent observers to their match with North Korea. As far as I can see the Japanese team have a good technique. We can’t afford any lapses in concentration against them.
“Striker Chenrop [Samphaodi] had taken a knock in the match with Saudi Arabia, but initial reports suggest he is OK and should be be available for the game against Japan.”
While Kiatisak made no efforts to veil his joy over the result, Saudi Arabia coach Adrie Koster looked disappointed.
He said: “I must say our team surprised us, but in a negative way. After the training camp we didn’t expect the team to play like the way they did tonight.
“When we had the ball we gave it away too easily and we didn’t start well. You get a penalty [and can’t score] and then you go 1-0 in front, but to no avail.
“We decided during the break that we would have to play to our players and not the opponents. We did get better but it was not enough to win this game.
“I dare say that I had expected more than we showed in tonight’s game.”
Though spectacular, both goals scored in the Wednesday night’s game had been courtesy of defensive errors.
The impressive Somporn gave the Thais a lifeline when he brilliantly saved a 12th-minute penalty awarded after Adison Promrak fouled Al Saiari. Mustafa Al Bassas’ shot from the spot was pushed onto the crossbar by Somporn.
The Thai defenders first gifted a Saudi Arabian player enough time inside the box to send a calculated chip from the right and then left Al Saiari alone to execute a precise header into the goal in the 71st minute.
Saudi Arabia paid the favour back in kind when defender Talal Ali Absi let a feeble pass slip through for Pinyo to claim the loose ball and fire it past goalkeeper Ahmad Al Harbi into the net in the 84th minute.
Pinyo, the Thai hero of the draw, later dedicated the goal to his father in a social media post, saying: “Happy Birthday Dad! You wanted a goal against Saudi Arabia as your birthday gift. I have done it Dad!”