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Published on February 7, 2008

Thailand were left in the cold on a freezing evening following a 4-1 defeat at the hands of hosts Japan in a Group B match of the World Cup third qualifying round yesterday in Saitama. The scoreline was a true reflection of the game that pitted the hosts, the top Asian side with a ranking of 34, against the visitors, languishing at 107.

The weather conditions might have placed Chanvit Pholchivin's men at a disadvantage, with the temperature hovering just above freezing, however, the gritty Thais made the Japanese toil to achieve the predicted outcome.

Thailand were still in the game until half time after Teeratep Winothai shocked the home crowd with a spectacular strike to cancel out Yasuhito Endo's opener. However, the visitors crumbled in the second half, conceding three more goals after their susceptibility to the high ball was cruelly exposed.

Having witnessed his side put up a fighting display against the Japanese, who are bidding for a fourth successive appearance in the World Cup, Chanvit said he could not have sought more from his men.

"Matters transpired to gift the hosts a distinct advantage. We had to contend with the suspension to our key players and the weather. We were unable to control the game and the pitch did not help our cause.

"The turning point was when they conceded the second goal which I believed we really could have avoided. However, I'm still satisfied with our overall performance. I'm convinced we could improve in the next match when we welcome back our suspended players," he said.

The game began in expected fashion as the hosts quickly asserted their authority, pushing the Thais on the back foot from the outset.

The sign of danger for the visitors came as early as in the second minute when former Frankfurt striker Naohiro Takahara failed to hold on to a cross from the left, which could have given him a clear shot at goal. Moments later, the home team had their first attempt on goal when Kengo Nakamura cleared the bar with his first-time volley from the edge of the area after the Thai team's poor clearance.

The ball was confined to the Thai half as the Japanese launched a series of attacks. The visitors' resistance eventually broke down midway through the half when Endo whipped his 25-yard free-kick over the wall into the back of the net, leaving Thai goalie Kosin Hathairatthanakul stranded.

The home fans' celebration barely died down when Teeratep hauled the visitors back into the game from virtually their first attack on goal, when he cracked in a dipping shot from 25 yards out, sending a small group of Thai fans into raptures.

The setback visibly knocked the Japanese off balance as they struggled to create chances despite still enjoying the majority of possession. 

The Thai team continued to frustrate the home side after the interval. Each time the Japanese's play broke, it seemed to increase the visitors' belief that they could take something from the match.

However, all the hard work was undone after Narongchai Vachiraban's attempted clearance bounced off Nakamura and back in front of goal where Yoshito Okubo gleefully stabbed home. Narongchai's miserable night was completed when he received marching orders in the 64th minute after receiving two yellow cards.

The Japanese made their numerical advantage count when Yuji Nakazawa got on the end of a free-kick to send a glancing header into the far post. The goal drained the Thai morale and the hosts' icing on the cake was Seiichiro Maki's headed effort in stoppage time.

The Nation