Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Bangkok: Thailand got their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a comfortable 3-0 win over Oman on Tuesday, as the three-time ASEAN champions bounced back from their 2-1 defeat to Australia in their Group D opener.
The Thais were within four minutes of taking a valuable point from last Thursday's match with the 2011 AFC Asian Cup runners-up only for substitute Alex Brosque to net a late winner for the Socceroos.
Thailand head coach Winfried Schaefer had vowed a more attack-minded strategy against Oman and true to the 61-year-old German tactician's word, the Changsuek (War Elephants) took the game to the Gulf Sultanate and were two goals to the good going into the break at the Rajamangala Stadium.
Sompong Soleb eventually broke the deadlock with 35 minutes of the Group D clash played before Muang Thong United star Teerasil Dangda followed up his opener against Australia last Thursday with his second in as many 2014 World Cup qualifying matches four minutes from the interval.
Oman regrouped after the break and the Thais were unable to augment their tally until second-half stoppage time and when they did finally get a third they needed a little help from their opponents, with Rashid Al Farsi putting the ball into his own net one minute into added time.
Thailand will be hoping home field advantage again counts in their favour when they host Saudi Arabia on October 11 while Oman, who held the four-time World Cup qualifiers to a goalless draw in their Group D opener in Muscat, face a difficult test against Australia on the same day.
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(Photo by AFP)