Football gold

Today's Top Stories - Sunday December 16, 2007

Football gold

Nakhon Ratchasima - A wildly cheering crowd watched their Thailand beat Burma 2-0 for the country's eighth consecutive SEA Games football gold medal.

Thailand went close in the first minute but Burma also had a couple of half-chances in a bright opening period.

The hosts took the lead just before the quarter-hour mark when Anon Sangsonoi burst through the middle and slammed his shot past Burma keeper Kyaw Zin Htet.

They doubled their advantage on 38 minutes when Teeratep Winothai headed home.

Burma, beaten 3-2 in the group stages by Thailand, continued to press but but could not find a way through the defense and tempers frayed following some robust challenges.

In the second half, Burma enjoyed periods of possession and their striker Si Thu Than was a constant threat, but they were unable to force the goal they needed.

Thailand remained dangerous when going forward, continuing to create the better chances but failed to score a third.

"This gold medal takes all the pressure off because the whole country expected us to win," Thai coach Thongsuk Sampahangsit said.

Thongsuk, who said his second-half tactics had been to concentrate on defense and play on the counterattack, said: "I can't single out any outstanding player in this match but the senior players helped a lot."

Burma coach Marcos Falopa said: "It was very difficult. They really wished to win this competition and they played at home and had a lot of experience.

"My team had some under-20 and under-19 players in it but we are very proud to have participated in this competition."

Earlier Friday, Singapore secured third place in this under-23 football competition by thrashing Vietnam 5-0 with a hat-trick from Fazrul Nawaz.

Thailand last failed to win the SEA Games football title in 1991, when Indonesia won at the biennial games.

Bangkok Post