Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Dubai: Thailand confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the 2012 AFC Futsal Championship as ASEAN champions defeated Turkmenistan 5-1 on Saturday in the second of their three Group A fixtures.
Thailand's defeat of Kyrgyzstan in their opening fixture means that they will advance on account of a better head-to-head record even if the three-time AFC Futsal Championship semi-finalists win their remaining two games.
Thailand, runners-up at the 2008 AFC Futsal Championship, went into their second match at the Al Wasl Indoor Stadium looking to claim another Central Asian scalp following their 2-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan on Friday.
And they took a third minute lead when Suphawut Thueanklang's shot from an acute angle went over the line after Nuryagdy Muhammedov couldn't clear the danger but their advantage lasted a matter of seconds with a fine strike from Vatan Atayev levelling for the Turkmen.
Thailand regained the initiative in the sixth minute when Nattavut Madyalan cut the ball back to the unmarked Apiwat Chaemcharoen for the 20-year-old Lampang United striker to tap in his second of the campaign.
Some superb trickery on the wing saw Jirawat Sornwichian set up Suphawut's second of the match in the ninth minute which was the final goal in the first period as Thailand went into the break with a 3-1 lead.
That lead was finally extended with four minutes remaining when Konghla Lakka charged forward from his own half to score a fine solo effort before Kritsada Wongkaeo added a fifth in the 39th minute as Thailand took advantage of the space created as Turkmenistan employed the power play.