Vietnam , Thailand 1-1 in last minute draw
The much anticipated first-day clash between Thailand and Vietnam ended in a nail-biting 1-1 draw in the final minutes of second game of the men's football competition yesterday.
The match kicked off at 5.45pm at the National Stadium in Vientiane . Both sides fielded their top players hoping for an early lead in the competition, but the closely matched teams gave each other little opportunity to capitalise on goal chances.
Thailand were given a free kick just outside the box only six minutes into the game, but Thai number 7 Arthit Sunthorphit overshot the Vietnamese crossbar. Two minutes later Thailand gained another chance from a corner, but Arthit's well-aimed pass to number 10 Theerasil Dangda was headed into the hands of the Vietnamese keeper, Bui Tan Throuang.
Vietnam launched counter attacks but were unable to pass the solid Thai defence and goalkeeping skills of Kawin Thamhatchanan.
The game developed into a battle for possession as the teams exchanged attacks, but neither side was able to break through in the remainder of the first half.
The second half saw a switch in strategy from both teams as the players attempted to out manoeuvre each other, but Thailand gained the upper hand when number 9 Kirati keawsombut shot past the Vietnamese keeper to find the back of the net in the 88th minute.
The celebrations among Thai fans were short-lived when the Thai defence fouled a Vietnamese striker in penalty area, and Vietnamese number 9 Hoang Dinh Tung shot the penalty to draw 1-1 with Thailand in the dying moments of the game.
A capacity crowd of 20,000 spectators attended the game but the Vietnamese fans seemed in the majority at the end of the night, as a sea of red shirts with yellow stars celebrated snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat at the stadium.
The score-line in the opening match of the competition was slightly different, as Malaysia hammered Timor Leste 11-0 in a merciless display of superior skill.
The next Group A matches see Vietnam pitted against Timor Leste and Thailand meeting Cambodia on December 4, at Chao Anouvong stadium central Vientiane . Malaysia will meet Vietnam and Timor Leste play Cambodia at the National Stadium on December 6.
By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
December 03 , 2009
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