Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Bangkok: Kuwait started their AFC Asian Cup 2015 qualifying campaign with a flourish by dismantling lacklustre Thailand 3-1 in Group B at Rajamangala National Stadium on Wednesday.
An own goal by Theerathon Bunmathon and strikes by Hussein Fadhel and Hamad Aman secured the win for Goran Tufegdzic’s side, who finished in third place in last month’s Gulf Cup, while Chanathip Songkrasin claimed a consolation for the Thais.
“I am very satisfied with today’s game,” said Tufegdzic. “Thailand are a good team and it is a difficult place to get a result.
“My team were dangerous on the counter attack and had many chances to score in the first half. After we scored the second goal in the second half I thought that was the game over.
“It was our strategy to play on the counter attack and to cut down the space that Thailand had.
“We prepared seriously for this game and we were up against a very good team. I am very satisfied to start with three points in the Asian Cup qualifying.”
The visitors were far sharper and seemed hungrier than Thailand, who were a pale shadow of the team that lit up the AFF Suzuki Cup last December with their attacking play.
Kuwait, coming off a third-place finish in last month’s Gulf Cup, made a lively start to the match and should have been ahead within the first seven minutes.
Striker Yousef Naser was put clean through on goal by a brilliantly timed pass from danger man Bader Al Mutwa in the sixth minute but he shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Kuwait were looking dangerous going forward and deservedly took the lead in the 25th minute. Naser found Al Mutwa with a defence-splitting pass and his goal-bound shot was helped into the net by Thailand defender Theerathon Bunmathon in a vain effort to clear.
The Thais came out with all guns blazing in the second half and a 30-yard screamer from Adul Lahso flew narrowly past the post in the 54th minute.
Kuwait extended their lead with their first chance of the second half, unmarked defender Hussain Fadhel rising to head home a free kick in the 59th minute.
Substitute Hamad Aman made it 3-0 just minutes after coming on when he collected a clever ball over the defence and finished with aplomb.
Thailand pulled one back in the 76th minute when a speculative long range effort from substitute Chanathip sneaked inside the right-hand upright.
“Kuwait did well in the Gulf Cup and we knew the match today would be difficult,” said Thailand coach Winfried Schafer. “They were quite physical in the first half and got a number of yellow cards.
“Middle East teams play a different style from Asean teams and by the time we adapted they were two goals ahead.
“We did not play as well as during the AFF Suzuki Cup but I cannot give you the reason why.”