Thailand overtake M'sia
By Alex How

Thailand replaced Malaysia at the top of Group A after they defeated 10-men Malaysia 4-0 in the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for Under-21 Asean Youth Football Championship 2005, last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

Asean powerhouse Thailand proved they are still the favourites in the tournament as they commanded the play throughout the game.

Preecha Chaokla knocked in a powerful header past the helpless goalkeeper from a cross down the left from Olan Limsamphansanti in the 13th minute. The presence of two strikers up front proved to be an advantage for Thailand as Olan Limsamphansanti added the second for Thailand in the 44th minute to make it 2-0 in the first half.

Malaysia had a chance to level the game in the 16th minute, but Qhairul Anwar Mohamad Roslani saw his header shoved over the bar after meeting a free kick taken by Safiq Rahim.

Thailand showed no sign of resting on the two-goal cushion as they started the second half more aggressively.

Malaysia's misery deepened as Yazzman Irffan Yahya knocked in a disastrous own goal when he failed to deal with Natthaphong Samana's cross in the 59th minute.

Preecha Chaokla finished the game as he blasted in his second and Thailand's fourth goal in the 69th minute. Preecha Chaokla beat two defenders with his fancy footwork before he hit in the goal to make it 4-0.

Malaysia were reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute when Mohd Hafizulldin Mohd Noor was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

Malaysia will be without Mohamad Zaquan Adha Abd Razak (One-match suspension), Wan Mohd Hoesne Wan Hussain (two-match suspension) and Mohd Hafizulldin Mohd Noor in the next match against Vietnam.

After last night's match, Malaysia's Coach Raja Gopal praised the commitment of the young team (with an average age of 19 years) despite the loss. They started the match without some players through suspension and injuries. Malaysia are nevertheless confident to win the next match against Vietnam.

Thailand's assistant manager Kittipat Meesuwan meanwhile commented they were under pressure coming to the game but the players played better and better throughout the match. He added that they were aiming for the top spot in the group.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin