World Cup Qualifier - Group D
Saudi Arabia 3-0 Thailand
Oman 1-0 Australia
Thailand v Australia (Tues)
Saudi Arabia v Oman (Tues)
Three second half goals in Riyadh, severely dented Thailand's attempts to reach Round 4 as they lost 3-0 to Saudi Arabia. The home side dominated from the outset and Winnie Schaefer can have no complaints about the final result, although he may be questioning the ease of how a couple of the Saudi goals were scored.
Thailand's next opponents, Australia, lost their 100% winning record as they suffered a 1-0 defeat in Oman. The Socceroos only need a point from their last two games to ensure qualification to the next stage and they be hoping to avoid any last day drama by collecting at least a point in Bangkok on Tuesday night. On the same evening, Saudi Arabia will host Oman.
For Thailand the equation is simple; win the last two games and they'll qualify. Four points might be good enough, but then the Thais would be relying on results from elsewhere working in their favour.
The current league standings are: Australia 9 points, Saudi Arabia 5, Thailand 4 and Oman 4.
TPL
TTM Phichit 0-0 Police Utd
The TPL siesta continues.......Wake me up when it starts again!!!
Division 1
Chantaburi 2-1 Saraburi
Chantaburi move out of the drop zone after their 2-1 victory over Saraburi.
Division 2 Play-offs
(Group A)
Loei City 1-1 Ratchaburi
Pattalung 2-0 Phitsanoluk
Phichit 3-1 Kasetsart
(Group B)
Krabi 3-0 Lamphun
North Bangkok 0-2 Roi Et
Korat 2-0 Rayong
Pattalung returned to the top of Group A with 2-0 win over Phitsanoluk. They overtook Ratchaburi who scored late on to draw 1-1 at Loei City. The two top sides of Pattalung and Ratchaburi look odds on for promotion to Division 1. Pattalung top the group with 12 points and are closely followed by Ratchaburi on 11. There is then a 4 point gap to third placed Loei City. Kasetsart are now marooned at the bottom after their 3-1 defeat in Phichit. The Bangkok side have only picked up one point from five games.
Krabi held onto top spot in Group B after they comfortably disposed of Lamphun 3-0. The other movers this week were the north-eastern duo of Korat and Roi Et. Both sides won 2-0 with Korat beating Rayong and Roi Et defeating North Bangkok at the IPE Stadium in north Chonburi.
That second half was one of the most harrowing 45 minutes of football I've ever put myself through.
ReplyDeleteNever fear, you'll have another 90 mins of it next weekend :) I thought you defended well as a unit in the second half. Despite the pressure, Rayong never looked like scoring. You can see why they've only scored 2 in 5 games
ReplyDeleteI thought they had some good chances, but finished poorly (have a look at the Channel 77 highlights on my website; they definitely had some good chances) It was impressive that the defence held firm because we again had three of our first choice back four missing. As soon as one returns another gets injured! I guess it's to be expected after a long season.
ReplyDeleteWould obviously love a point next weekend, but a defeat wouldn't be a disaster: we'd be in third just a point off second if we lose. I think a win is too much to hope for: our coach just isn't that bold.
Being a neutral, I thought you held out well. Rayong had so much possession in the 2nd half but looked toothless upfront. It was a bit like watching Thai Port hanging on to a 1-0 first half lead. The tactics weren't pretty, but efficient.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm biased, but I don't recall our players feigning injury. That match situation would see certain players/teams dropping like flies
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