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Published on July 13, 2007

Striker Pipat Thonkanya stepped off the bench to fire Thailand to an impressive 2-0 victory over Oman in the Asian Cup Group A match at Rajamangala National Stadium yesterday.

Having watched his side struggle to break down the resilient Omanis, coach Chanvit Pholchivin brought on Pipat and young star forward Teeratep "Leesaw" Winothai in what proved to be a shrewd move as the two combined to conjure up a historic victory.

It is the first time Thailand have ever won a match in regular time in the Asian Cup.

The result was a huge boost to the hosts' chances of qualification for the knock-out round for the first time since 1972.

If group favourites Australia defeat Iraq in their encounter today, the Thai team need only a draw with the Australians in their last group match on Monday to guarantee a place in the second round.

The impressive nature of the victory had Chanvit in an emotional state as he addressed the media with tears in his eyes.

"It has brought back the confidence of the team, as we had never made it into the next round. It has sparkled hope and regained the team's confidence," Chanvit said of his side's maiden victory in the tournament.

"It was a tough game because we both had a target of taking the three points. We used a lot of techniques in the game, not rushing too much and not defending too much."

Chanvit's men had to treat Oman - runners-up in the Gulf Cup tournament earlier this year - with some trepidation, as the nightmare experienced in the previous Cup edition in China reared its ugly head.

Three years ago, Thailand were also in the same group as Oman, who had qualified for the finals for the first time. However, the Middle Eastern side condemned the Kingdom to a 2-0 loss, a result which contributed to the Thai team's miserable campaign. They finished bottom of their group without a point.

Considering that Gabriel Calderon's side nearly pulled off a potentially big upset on Sunday in a 1-1 draw against pre-tournament favourites Australia, in which Everton star Tim Cahill scored a dramatic late equaliser to save his side's blushes, it further demonstrated how stern a test Oman could provide the hosts.

It seemed both teams realised the stakes were high after the results from the opening ties had left the group delicately poised. Given that minor mistakes could ruin their chances of qualification, it was no surprise that the first quarter of the game was a bit cagey, with scoring opportunities at a premium.

The Thai players might have also felt a sense of deja vu, as the visitors were as just tall and skilful as the Iraqis. However, the home team put up a better performance in the first half than on Saturday, while Calderon's men were not the same threat that had caused the Australians such huge problems.

It was the home team that managed to produce the first real opening. In the 17th minute, Sutee Suksomkit brought a long ball down inside the box but an Oman defender was able to defuse the danger before the striker could pull the trigger.

Three minutes later, Sutee again was involved in the play that almost put his team in front when his good work on the right side of the area resulted in a tantalising delivery across the goal-mouth, where Kiartisak Senamuang came agonisingly close to getting on the end of it.

Oman had to wait until the 37th minute for their first attempt at goal. Fawzi Basheer sold Natthaporn Panlit a dummy and menacingly ran to the byline, but rather than cross the ball the midfielder opted to shoot instead. His effort went harmlessly wide.

Thailand had another chance to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when veteran Terdsak Jaiman got behind the Omani defence and ran into the area on the right side, but he sent his shot into the side netting.

After the interval, Thailand remained the better team. Just before the hour mark, Sutee spurned a glorious chance when the ball broke into his path after some ricochets off defenders, but his point-blank drive was unable to beat goalie Ali Al-Habsi. Chanvit's side eventually got the break in the 70th minute when substitute Leesaw broke down the right before crossing  to fellow substitute Pipat, who tapped in at the far post.

The hosts made it safe eight minutes later when Pipat took Leesaw's flick into the penalty area before dispatching a spectacular half-volley past hapless Al-Habsi into the back of the net. 

Kitinan Sanguansak

The Nation