Dirk Kuyt, centre, and Jetsada Jitsawas fight it out in front of goal at the Rajamangala Stadium.

Thailand's Asian Cup side were handed a footballing lesson yesterday, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Netherlands in a friendly match at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

Over the moon after defeating China for the first time in 17 years in a warm-up match last month, Chanvit Pholchivin's men were sent crashing back to earth by a second-string but effective Dutch team.

In a match pitting the lightweights against the heavyweights, it seemed certain from the start that an upset was unlikely. The Dutch quickly asserted themselves before coasting to a predictable win, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of the hosts' players, who had their first bite of the "Oranje", so to speak.

Although Chanvit's side did show some fighting spirit and occasionally made life difficult for their illustrious opponents - even claiming a consolation goal - they unfortunately had to accept the cruel fact that the gulf in class between the teams was too wide for them to close.

As if the challenge against Marco van Basten's side were not daunting enough, Chanvit had to do it without first-team players Terdsak Jaiman and Sutee Suksomkit, due to club commitments.

Hamburg's dynamo midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who captained his side for the first time yesterday, got the visitors off to the perfect start when he ran on to a Wesley Sneijder killer pass into the box before sending his shot into the far corner with only three minutes on the clock.

Sneijder had a chance to get on to the score sheet himself five minutes later. However, the influential Ajax midfielder, who scores many goals from long distance, failed to make it this time when he picked up the ball from Liverpool hitman Dirk Kuyt outside the box before firing his effort over the bar.

Having spurned countless chances, the visitors eventually managed to double their advantage when centre-back Johnny Heitinga placed his downward header from a Sneijder corner into the far corner three minutes before half-time, much to the delight of a small but enthusiastic contingent of Dutch fans.

The visitors maintained the momentum in the second half, making it 3-0 in the 56th minute from a beautiful passing move involving Danny Landzaat and Sneijder. Substitute Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink applied the finishing touch with a simple tap-in.

The Thai team refused to go down quietly, however, and claimed a goal back through Tawan Sripan, who curled a free kick into the top right corner of the net.

Van Basten was happy with his side's performance. "I'm satisfied. We started well. We didn't know a lot about our opponents. But an early goal from Van Der Vaart gave us confidence," he said.

"We came into the game knowing the weather would be a problem. We had a lot of chances and should have scored more goals, but we had problem with our offence. We were a bit tired at the end of the season. But it was good to win 3-1."

Thai head coach Chanwit said he was happy with his players' form. "In the first half, my players were anxious as our opponents pressed them. We conceded an early goal and the boys lost their confidence.

"I'm satisfied with our boys' performance today. The pre-game practice was useful. We played with world-class players and it boosted our confidence going into the Asian Cup next month.

"As for the game against Australia next month, we have to improve our pressing game, which our players are not accustomed to, during our training camp in Germany."

Asked about the Kiartisak Senamuang's chances of making next month's tournament, Chanvit said the star striker would be in the starting line-up if fully fit.

 Meanwhile, in a 2008 Olympic Group E qualifier which preceded the friendly, Thailand bowed out on a high note after clinching a 2-0 victory over unfancied India, courtesy of Apiphu Sunthornpanawet's and Teerasil Daengda's goals.

Japan outclass Malaysia

nJapan completed the Asian second qualifying round for next year's Beijing Olympics by defeating Malaysia 3-1 yesterday for a perfect record of six straight wins.

The Japanese opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Iwata midfielder Kota Ueda fired a cross from the right to Meiji university defender Yuto Nagatomo, whose diving header beat the Malaysian goalkeeper.

Another university student, Shuto Suzuki, then drilled in a sizzling left-footer from outside the penalty area in the national stadium in Tokyo to make it 2-0 in the 33rd minute.

Malaysia, who had a mathematical chance of making it to the final qualifying round, only managed a couple of shots in the first half.

The visitors worked hard in the second half, but lost their patience and started to play rough. Six Malaysian players were booked. Aidil Zafuan sliced Nagatomo down in the penalty area and Hiroki Bandai converted the spot-kick in the 53rd minute.

Malaysian skipper Subramaniam Sooryapparad avoided a whitewash when he later found the back of the net after some goal-mouth confusion. Japan's coach hailed the victory as a significant one.

"The final qualifying round is very importan," said Yasuharu Sorimachi.

Kitinan Sanguansak,

Somporn Suphop

The Nation