Oman 0-2
Thailand: Pipat double tops group
BANGKOK, July 12 (Reuters) - Striker Pipat Tongkanya scored twice
in eight minutes to lift hosts Thailand to a convincing 2-0 win
over Oman and top spot in Asian Cup Group A on Thursday.
Pipat combined with fellow substitute Teerathep Winothai in the
70th and 78th minutes to give the Thais a well-earned
victory.
The goals came after 69 minutes of relentless Thai attacking, with
the Omanis, who drew 1-1 with tournament favourites Australia on
Sunday, rarely looking dangerous.
The victory was the Kingdom's first in the Asian Cup since they
made their debut in 1972.
'This match has helped us regain our confidence, we have never won
a game in the Asian Cup, I'm very proud to be the first coach to do
that,' coach Charnwit Polcheewin told a news conference.
'Pipat and Teerathep both did a good job, but whether or not they
will start in the next game depends on the tactics, and I won't
give those away.'
Thailand had the best of the early action and came close on 19
minutes when Sutee Suksomkit's pass flashed across the face of the
goal and fell short of the onrushing Kiatisak Senamuang.
They threatened again six minutes later when playmaker Datsakorn
Thonglao's lofted pass found Therdsak Chaiman, who headed
wide.
Therdsak found himself in space again close to halftime, latching
on to Nattaporn Phanrit's pass down the right and blasting the ball
into the side netting from a tight angle.
Oman collected four bookings and few chances but could have gone
ahead near the interval when Fawzi Bashir rounded Nattaporn before
shooting well wide.
The Thais wasted a golden opportunity to score right after halftime
when Kiatisak squared the ball to the unmarked Tawan Sripan, who
fired wide with men in space.
The crowd had their hearts in the mouths when Ahmad Halid's
speculative free kick from near the halfway line went through to
keeper Kosin Haithairrattanakool, who tipped the ball on to the
crossbar.
Pipat and Teerathep made an instant impact after being sent
on.
Within a minute Teerathep delivered a low cross from the right to
the unmarked Pipat, who fired home from five metres.
Eight minutes later, the diminutive Teerathep headed Tawan's pass
on to Pipat, who chested down and blasted the ball into the top
corner.
Oman coach Gabriel Calderon was unhappy with the yellow cards his
team picked up.
'The referee was hostile to Oman,' the Argentine said. 'The referee
made mistakes, but maybe the Omanis just didn't play very
good.'
The win put Thailand on four points, three ahead of Iraq and
Australia who meet on Friday in the next Group A game.