THAILAND UPDATED. Thailand clinched the men’s football gold medal of the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games with a collected 1-0 win over Indonesia in front of a vociferous crowd of 3,150 at Zeyarthiri Stadium last night. A touch of Thai magic from playmaker Pokklaw Anan put through Sarawat Masuk, who produced a deft flick over Indonesian goalkeeper Kurnia Meiga to score the winning goal in the 21st minute of the match. With the win, Thailand extend their record to 14 gold medals in the competition.
Before kickoff, after they had belted out with gusto their respective national anthems, both sets of fans were creating a din with their horns and cheer. This brought a real cup final atmosphere for arguably the showpiece event of the Games, even though it was played in a vastly empty stadium.
The Indonesian fans might have been the louder of two with the aid of their drums, but they must have also quietly known that the last time Indonesia had beaten Thailand in a SEA Games final was way back in the 1991 Manila games. That was also the last time that record gold medal winners Thailand had been defeated in the final of the men’s competition. Following that, the Thais went on an unprecedented run of eight straight gold medals, before a resurgent Malaysia put a stop to that run by winning the last two editions.
Now the Changsuk, or Thai War Elephants, were hungry to reclaim their crown. Favorites coming into the game, especially after their earlier 4-1 victory against the same opponents in the group stage in Yangon, they were in control of the game from the early stages and it came as no surprise when they took the lead after 20 minutes.
Right winger Sarawut made a lightning burst down the wing and played a brilliant one-two with Pokklaw, which played him through behind the Indonesian backline with an excellent pass. After receiving the ball, the Muangthong United player flicked the ball over onrushing Indonesian keeper, with it dropping just under the crossbar, to give the Thais a deserved lead.
Despite their silky passing which allowed them to win most of the possession in the first half, the Thais did not always have it their own way. Indonesia was finding joy down the flanks through their speedy wingers and forcing the Thais into conceding needless free kicks in the Thai defensive third. But Garuda Muda, or the Young Garudas, could not make the most of the dead ball opportunities handed to them and went into the break a goal behind.
Thailand emerged out of the halftime interval happy to sit back and let Garuda Muda come at them, and the Garuda Muda did give them a couple of scares, most notably when Rizki Ramdani’s shot on the turn from the edge of the box was deflected just narrowly wide of the far post in the 75th minute.
But as the fourth official signaled four minutes of added time, Thai fans sensed victory was just around the corner. In truth, despite the second half onslaught from the Indonesians, Thailand’s one-goal advantage was never seriously troubled. In the end, the Indonesian siege could find no gaps in the Thai fortress of blue defenders and with an acrobatic bicycle-kick clearance from one of the Thai defenders, the referee blew the final whistle to signal the return of Thailand to the top of SEA Games football.
“We worked hard and selected the right players for our team,” explained Thai coach Kiatisuk Senamuang, when asked what was the secret to the team’s triumph. “We have been training together for one year since January.”
Indonesian coach Rahmad Darmawan felt that his team was just short of luck to snatch the gold from the Thais on the day.
“Today we did not play badly and in the second half we dominated possession and had chances,” said the Indonesian coach. “We were unlucky and just could not finish.”
As for his counterpart, the legendary Thai striker, nick-named “Zico” for his goal-scoring prowess, can now add to the four SEA Games gold medals he already won between 1993 and 1999 as part of the Changsuk.
“This is very exciting for me because the four before were as a player and now this is my first as a head coach,” added the 40-year old.
“I feel very proud of our boys and for our country.” 27seagames2013.com
THAILAND UPDATED. Kingdom complain about biased judging in taekwondo and muay on penultimate day.Thailand have won the overall title but failed to reach their goal of taking home 110 gold medals at the 27th SEA Games.
On the penultimate day of the biennial event, Thailand had 107 gold medals to hosts Myanmar's 84.
There are only two golds up for grabs in sepak takraw on the final day today and Thailand did not take part in the event.
Thailand targeted 110 gold medals from a total of 460 on offer.
In yesterday's action, Thailand complained of foul play in taekwondo and muay (Muay Thai).
Panipak was leading 5-4 when her opponent was awarded three points for a head kick in the dying moments to win 7-5.
The decision was booed by Thai fans at the stadium. Thailand coach Choi Young Seok lodged a protest but the result stood.
A tearful Panipak, 16, said the kick landed on her shoulder. A kick on the opponent's head or face is three points while a kick on other parts is one point.
"It hit my shoulder and not head or face," said the Grade 10 student from Thepleela school. "I was really disappointed by the decision."
She said she felt under pressure throughout the fight because she was afraid of possible biased judging.
"Some people told me that the hosts really wanted this gold medal," she said. "I knew what I would face in the final. But it is hard to accept such officiating because I worked so hard for this tournament but was treated unfairly."
Ruengrit Saengkaew, secretary-general of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, insisted the kick did not land on Panipak's head.
The incident came two days after Myanmar's Yamin Kline took gold in the women's poomsae singles event in dubious circumstances.
In yesterday's other matches, Ramnarong Sawekwiharee beat Francis Agojo of the Philippines 11-9 to win gold in the men's 54kg division, while Nattapat Tantramart got bronze in the men's over 80kg.
In all, Thailand took home six out of 21 gold medals in taekwondo with the other titles going to Vietnam (five), Myanmar (four), the Philippines (four), Laos (one) and Cambodia (one).
In muay, Thailand also complained about biased judging in their own martial art normally known as Muay Thai.
Panupun Panjad lost on points to Myanmar's Maung Too in the men's 67kg final as the Thai camp was upset by the decision.
Earlier in the Myanmar Games, Thailand threatened to stage a walkout from the tournament following what they claimed to be unfair treatment.
There were 14 gold medals up for grabs in the sport and Thailand won four from their six finals.
The Thai winners were Pisal Iamsiri (men's 56kg), Sirisopha Sirisak (women's 57kg), Ronnarit Boontri (men's 60kg), and Panupong Tanjad (women's 63.5kg).
Nattawut Bor-ngern lost to Kienkay Singsavath of Laos in the men's 48kg.
Having targeted five golds, the muay team was one short of their goal
INDONESIA UPDATED. Thailand optimis bisa mengalahkan Indonesia di laga final SEA Games 2013, Sabtu (21/12) malam waktu Myanmar. Pelatih Thailand, Kiatisuk Senamuang, bahkan mengaku kalau skuad asuhannya sudah berlatih adu penalti demi final di Zeyar Thiri Stadium.
"Kami akan terus menekan pertahanan mereka dan mengandalkan kecepatan untuk membongkar pertahanan. Fisik mereka pasti tidak lebih baik dibanding kami karena Indonesia harus bermain lewat adu penalti untuk menundukkan Malaysia," sahut Kiatisuk. "Babak penalti? Tidak masalah. Sebenarnya kami sudah mempersiapkan diri selama sebulan untuk menghadapi penalti di Chiang Mai."
Thailand merasa percaya diri karena di fase grup sempat mengalahkan skuad U-23, 4-1. Pelatih yang akrab disapa "Zico dari Thailand" itu memprediksi kalau pemain Thailand akan bisa kembali menciptakan gol cepat seperti saat menaklukkan Indonesia.
"Thailand akan bermain dengan gayanya sendiri," kata Kiatisuk. "Kami harap bisa mencetak gol cepat agar bisa memenangkan pertandingan dengan mudah. Saya yakin tim ini bisa menundukkan Indonesia di 90 menit.".
THAILAND UPDATED. Thailand Under-23 coach Kiatisuk Senamuang is confident that his team will end their SEA Games title drought when they take on Indonesia in the final at the Zeyar Thiri Stadium on Saturday night.
Thailand were eliminated in the group stages in the last two tournaments in 2009 and 2011 but they will be the overwhelming favourites to regain the men’s football title after defeating Singapore 1-0 in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Kiatisuk’s men have been the hot favourites since starting their Group B campaign with aplomb – beating Timor-Leste 3-1. They then whipped Indonesia 4-1 before drawing 1-1 with Myanmar and 0-0 with Cambodia.
The Thai legend said that his team had done well to advance to the final and that they are on the right track to reclaim the gold medal.
‘’Our aim is to win the gold medal in the SEA Games,’’ said the 40-year-old coach fondly called Zico.
‘’However, we still have to work hard to win it ... the fight is not over yet and our win against Indonesia in the first round is irrelevant.’’
Indonesia, meanwhile will try to end their SEA Games jinx after going more than two decades without winning the gold in the biennial tournament.
Indonesia coach Rahmad Darmawan has urged his players to continue showing the same kind of consistency that has seen them come this far.
“It will be a hard-fought match but I believe we have it in us to beat Thailand ... if we play according to our game plan,” said Rahmad.
THAILAND UPDATED. Kiatisak's men to meet Indonesia in decider. Thailand will be heavy favourites to regain the men's football title after defeating Singapore 1-0 in the semi-finals at the SEA Games on Thursday night.
Praweenwat Boonyong's 23rd minute penalty kick sent Thailand to their first final since 2007.
In tomorrow's final, Kiatisak Senamuang's men will meet Indonesia who stunned Malaysia 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in yesterday's other semi-final.
Thailand hammered the Indonesians 4-1 in the first round of the Myanmar Games.
Thailand were eliminated in the last two tournaments in 2009 and 2011 and Kiatisak is confident that his men will end the title drought.
''Our aim is to win the gold medal,'' said Kiatisak.
''But we have to work hard to win the title. Our win against Indonesia in the first round is irrelevant.''
At Zeyar Thiri Stadium in the country's new capital, Singapore were the better side in the opening minutes but once Thailand found their rhythm they dominated for long periods.
The Thais broke the deadlock after 23 minutes when Thai-Swiss midfielder Charyl Chappuis won a penalty after he was tripped in the area.
Bangkok Glass FC defender Praweenwat made no mistake from the spot.
The Young Lions then piled the pressure on Thailand but failed to break their defence marshalled by captain Theerathon Bunmathan.
Thailand started the second half strongly forcing Singapore goalkeeper Muhammad Mahbud to make a couple of saves.
But the game then became uneventful and the Thais chose to defend their lead.
The match became lively again in the final 10 minutes as Singapore threw everything at Thailand but could not beat goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan.
In yesterday's first semi-final, Indonesia beat Malaysia 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate, avenging their defeat to their arch-rivals in the 2011 final in Jakarta.
The game finished 1-1 in normal time with a late goal from forward Thamil Arasu cancelling out a spectacular strike from Bayu Gatra after 30 minutes of a game which the Indonesians dominated.
Extra-time was a dour affair with both teams flagging on the large pitch.
The win was sweet revenge for the Indonesians, who lost on penalties to their neighbours in the final of the 2011 Games.
The Malaysians were bidding for their third straight SEA Games gold in the showpiece event of the hotly contested competition.
Indonesia, who broke the hearts of local fans with a narrow 1-0 win over Myanmar to progress from the group stage at their expense, will play Thailand in the final of the under-23 tournament.
Against Thailand tomorrow, Indonesia will try to end their SEA Games hoodoo after going more than two decades without winning gold in the biennial tournament.bangkokpost.com
