War Elephants’ fate hangs in the balance
Coach Worrawoot Srimaka failed to produce the promised winning formula as Thailand suffered a 1-0 loss to Uzbekistan that left the War Elephants’ future in the men’s football tournament of the Asian Games at the mercy of results in other groups.
Bangladesh stole the second place in Group B as an injury-time goal by Jamal Bhuyan gave them a 1-0 victory over Qatar last night.
Thailand finished their group stage games in third place with two points from draws against Bangladesh and Qatar.
The Thais can still qualify for the last 16 phase as they are among the four best third-placed teams so far in the 24-nation event. The top two teams from six groups qualify automatically.
Thailand made a couple of changes to the side that played to a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh on Friday, starting with goalkeeper Kwanchai Suklom and defender Pawee Tanthatemee.
The War Elephants found themselves in arrears in the 17th minute when Ikromjon Alibaev crossed the ball for Uzbekistan captain Zabikillo Urinboev to find enough space between two Thai defenders and head the ball home.
In the 35th minute, Phitiwat Sukjitthummakul made a spectacular move and set up Worachit Kanitsribumphen with a back pass inside the box. However, Worachit’s low drive missed the far edge of the goal by a few inches.
Five minutes from the break, Kwanchai fouled Urinboev in the penalty area but the Thai goalkeeper immediately atoned himself by saving Jaloliddin Masharipov’s shot from spot.
HEARTBREAK FOR CHABA KAEW
Thai women’s football team’s dream of ending their barren run in the Asian Games was shattered by regional rivals Vietnam at Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium in Jakarta last night.
Thailand, desperate for a victory after going down 2-0 to Japan in their first game, suffered a 3-2 loss to Vietnam in their last Group A match to exit the tournament without any point to their credit.
The match was evenly poised at the half-hour mark when Thailand’s US-based
forward Suchawadee Nildhamrong converted a penalty to cancel out an earlier strike by Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung.
The Chaba Kaew effectively lost their bid for a place in the quarter-finals in the last 15 minutes of the first half when they saw Nguyen Thi Van and Nguyen Thi Lieu pick up two more goals for Vietnam.
Sornsai Pitsamai narrowed the margin to one goal at 80 minutes, but Vietnam defended their fort well until the end.