Thailand's 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup campaign crashed to a disappointing and frustrating end inside Jakarta's cavernous Bung Karno Stadium. The Thais were beaten 2-1 by hosts Indonesia, despite being the better team for the majority of the game.
The first 45 minutes of the match were mediocre, being low on both quality and entertainment. Thailand did, however, show more urgency than Indonesia, whose qualification to the semi-finals was already assured.
Kirati Kaewsombat went close for the visitors in the 25th minute, making a clever near post run before heading Suree Sukha's cross wide of the post. Just before the break Thailand went even closer to opening the scoring. Datsakorn Thonglao swung a corner onto the head of Suttinan Phukhom, but the Chonburi players goal bound effort was scrambled off the line by Eka Ramdani. In the ensuing melee, Suree Sukha went to ground looking for a penalty, but instead, earned a yellow card for diving.
The second-half started brightly as both teams tried to get forward and attack. First to have a go were Thailand. Indonesia goalkeeper Markus Horison made a terrible hash of Rangsan Vivatchaichok's floated cross, punching the ball straight to Datsakorn. The diminutive Muang Thong player chipped the ball towards goal but Maman Abdurahman headed the ball off the line and away from danger.
On 52 minutes, Indonesia finally managed to trouble the Thai defence. Ramdani played a lovely ball into the path of Cristian Gonzales, whose cushioned volley failed to trouble Sinthaweechai.
Thai striker Kirati Kaewsombat then made a chance out of nothing, almost scoring with a sensational overhead kick. Horison unconvincingly saved the powerful shot and was lucky to see the ball go over the bar after it had squirmed from his grasp.
After several near misses, the Thailand pressure finally told in the 68th minute. Rangsan clipped a pass to Kirati, who chested the ball down for the on-rushing Suree Sukha to lash home from 16 yards - making the score 1-0 to Thailand.
Malaysia were cruising to victory against Loas in the other Group A game, so Thailand knew that they had to hang on to all 3 points to progress to the semi-finals. With this in mind they started to defend dangerously deep, inviting Indonesia to attack.
Anxiety was starting to show in the Thai penalty area as Sinthaweechai twice flapped at the ball, getting away with it on both occasions. The Thais were also struggling to clear their lines, so it was no surprise when the first sustained spell of Indonesian pressure produced an equalising goal. Eka Ramdani hit the post with a cross-cum-shot and as Christian Gonzales tried to stab the rebound into the net, he was tugged back by Panupong Wongsa, leaving the referee no alternative but to point to the spot. Substitute Bambang Pamungkas stepped up and tucked the penalty away with aplomb.
Six minutes later, the Japanese referee pointed to the penalty spot for the second time, adjudging Panupong to have handled Arif Suyono's shot. To add insult to injury the Thai defender was sent off for a second bookable offence. Bambang once again took the spot kick, and once again hit the back of the net.
Thailand's 10 men couldn't muster any late chances. They already knew that their fate in the competition was sealed.
Bryan Robson looked shell-shocked at the full-time whistle having seen his luckless team fail to win yet again, ensuring their early elimination from the AFF Suzuki Cup. Whether he will still be in charge of the Thai team for their next fixture (whenever that is) remains to been seen.
The Thai domestic fixture calendar also needs to come under close scrutiny. Most of the squad had precious little chance to rest and recuperate after the League Cup & FA Cup Finals, leaving the manager with almost no time to properly prepare his team for the tournament, and boy did it show. The Thais looked vulnerable in defence and failed to take their chances at the other end - a recipe for disaster.
The Thai domestic fixture calendar also needs to come under close scrutiny. Most of the squad had precious little chance to rest and recuperate after the League Cup & FA Cup Finals, leaving the manager with almost no time to properly prepare his team for the tournament, and boy did it show. The Thais looked vulnerable in defence and failed to take their chances at the other end - a recipe for disaster.
INDONESIA : 1. Markus Horison, 2. Mohammad Nasuha, 3. Zulkifli Syukur, 5. Maman Abdurahman, 6. Tony Sucipto, 8. Eka Ramdani (c) (19. Ahmad Bustomi), 9. Cristian Gonzales, 10. Oktovianus Maniani (14. Arif Suyono), 16. Muhammad Roby, 17. Irfan Haarys Bachdim (20. Bambang Pamungkas), 22. Muhammad Ridwan
UNUSED SUBS : 12. Feri Rotin Sulu, 18. Kurnia Meiga Hermansyah, 7. Beny Wahyudi, 23. Hamka Hamsah, 21. Yongki Ari Bowo, 11. Johan Juansyah
YELLOW CARDS : Bambang Pamungkas
GOALS : Bambang Pamungkas (82 & 88)
THAILAND : 18. Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool, 2. Suree Sukha (8. Suchao Nuchnum), 3. Nattapong Samana, 5. Suttinun Phukhom, 6. Nattapon Phanrit, 7. Datsakorn Thonglao (c) (13. Therdsak Chaiman), 10. Teerasil Dangda, 11. Rangsan Vivatchaichok, 20. Panupong Wongsa, 25. Kirati Keawsombat (9. Sarayoot Chaikamdee), 28. Naruphol Aromsawa
UNUSED SUBS : 30. Sivaruk Tedsungnoen, 4. Chonlatit Jantakam, 21. Teeratorn Boonmathan, 19. Pichitpong Choeichiu, 27. Wichaya Dechmitr, 14. Teerathep Winothai
YELLOW CARDS : Suree Sukha, Teerasil Dangda, Panupong Wongsa, Sarayoot Chaikamdee
RED CARDS : Panupong Wongsa
GOALS : Suree Sukha (68)
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