Thais progress to final after comfortable win

Today's Sports News - Wednesday December 12, 2007

24TH SEA GAMES / MEN'S SOCCER SEMI-FINALS

Thais progress to final after comfortable win

Hosts to meet Burma in Friday's showdown

TOR CHITTINAND

Nakhon Ratchasima _ Thailand are one win from clinching their eighth straight football crown after routing Singapore 3-0 in the SEA Games semi-finals last night at His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium.

Goals from Wuthichai Tatong (21st minute), Anon Sangsanoi (40th) and Prat Samakrat (77th) sent the hosts to meet surprise package Burma who stunned Vietnam 3-1 on penalties after a scoreless draw in the other semi-final.

Thailand edged out Burma 3-2 in their opening match of the Korat Games and will be favourites in Friday's final.

It is the first time Burma have reached the final since the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore where they lost to Thailand 4-3.

Against Singapore, Thailand started strongly and got their opening goal after 21 minutes when Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny completely missed a corner allowing Wuthichai to head home.

Singapore striker Khairun Amri threatened Thailand's goal on several occasions but the Thai defence did well to neutralise him.

As Singapore tried to pile pressure on the home side, Thailand striker Teerathep Winothai intercepted the ball from from a Singapore defender.

The Thai star went clear and Sunny did well to block his shot, however Anon Sangsanoi was quick to fire the loose ball into the empty net to give Thailand a commanding 2-0 lead at half-time.

Singapore dominated for long periods in the second half but failed to turn their possession into goals. Their best chance came in the 73rd minute when captain Shahril Ishak's header hit the bar.

However, Thailand got their third goal after 77 minutes when Teerathep's header found Prat who slotted home from close range.

Thailand coach Thongsuk Sampahangsit admitted that his men were lucky to get two goals in the first half to ease the pressure in the second half.

Thongsuk said although Thailand defeated Burma in the preliminary-round they could not take anything for granted.

''The Burmese are very fit physically,'' he said.

''It will not be easy to play them in the final as they have improved since losing to us in the first match.''

Worawi Makudi, president of the Football Association of Thailand, said he was very proud of his men and he believes a similar display in the final will see them win the gold.

The Thai team got a one million baht reward from Worawi for last night's win.

Bangkok Post