Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ho Chi Minh City: A hat-trick from Suphawat Thueanklang ensured 2012 runners-up Thailand opened this year’s AFC Futsal Championship campaign with a comfortable 7-1 victory over Malaysia in Thursday’s Group C opener.
Malaysia, who had qualified for the tournament for the first time since 2008, stuck to their game plan in the first half at Phu Tho Stadium and Thailand managed to only build a 2-1 lead at half-time.
But after some strong words from coach Victor Hermans, Thailand came out for the second half a lot stronger and three goals from Suphawat and a brace from Jirawat Sornwichian wrapped up a convincing win.
“The first match is always difficult and our first half is not what I expected from how we can play normally,” said Hermans.
"At half-time I told them that their concentration was so bad they gave Malaysia two or three chances and that was too much.
"It is of course a good start for the confidence of the players and they can believe they can go on with the rhythm and go on to win the tournament."
Thailand started quickly against a well-disciplined Malaysia defence and Chaivit Jamgrajang nearly broke the deadlock in the seventh minute but his deflected shot hit the post.
The game, though, soon sparked into life with two Thailand goals in the space of a minute either side of a goal for Malaysia.
Thailand opened the scoring after Suphawut dispossessed goalkeeper Qaiser Kadir inside his own penalty area and squared the ball to Jirawat in space for an easy finish.
Malaysia, though, responded immediately and levelled proceedings 30 seconds later after the ball bounced kindly for Asmie Zahari in front of the goal.
But Thailand reclaimed their lead in the 12th minute when Jirawat and Suphawut teamed up again, with Jirawat turning quickly to beat the goalkeeper.
Malaysia went looking for a another equaliser before half-time, but a combination of the crossbar and goalkeeper Asming Talek kept Thailand’s lead intact.
And Thailand extended their lead in the 25th minute when Suphawat, who was Thailand’s top scorer en route to the final in the United Arab Emirates two years ago, claimed his first goal of the 2014 campaign after converting Konghla Lakka’s pass from distance.
Suphawat claimed his second two minutes later after being found by a cross-field ball from Kritsada Wongkaeo before Wiwat Thaijaruen scored Thailand's fifth in the 31st minute when he pounced on a defensive error from Fawzal Mohamad.
And Suphawat completed his hat-trick in the 36th minute after being played through by Kritsada’s neat back heel before the game was finished off in the 39th minute when Zubaidi Alwee turned a cross from Peerapat Kaewwilai into his own net.
“In the first half we did well and followed the game plan, but what happened in the second half was that the players made mistakes because they were not focused on the game,” said Malaysia coach Maizal Marzuki.
"I reminded the players to do what they did in the first half, but I don’t know what happened in the second half. The Thailand team has world class players."
Thailand will play Chinese Taipei in their next group game on Saturday, while Malaysia will face Lebanon at Phu Tho Stadium.