Thais ensure semis berth after beating Indonesia 4-1

Thais ensure semis berth after beating Indonesia 4-1

JAKARTA (Agencies): Indonesia narrowed its chance for a
semifinal ticket following a 1-4 defeat over Southeast Asian
soccer powerhouse Thailand in its second encounter in the Tiger
Cup soccer match in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Friday.

Indonesia has to overcome Myanmar in its last match on Sunday
should it wish to join the host into the final four.

Thai's striker Worrawoot Srimaka freed himself from defender
Suwandhi's blockade and scored the first goal in the 24th minute.

Twenty five minutes later, Indonesian goalie I Komang Putra
let the ball slip from his hand and it fell into the path of
Srimaka who immediately kicked it into the net.

In the 53th minute, English first division league player
Kiatisuk 'Zico' Senamuang outran defender Eko Purjianto and
kicked the ball flatly in the 53th minute.

Indonesia's hopes almost brightened when young striker Gendut
Doni Christiawan managed a goal three minutes later, thanks to a
feed from top striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto.

With ten minutes left to play, Thailand extended its lead when
Dusit Chalersman curled a short pass from Witthaya Nabthong into
the net.

Indonesian coach Nandar Iskandar blamed the poor performance
on three defenders -- Ismet Sofyan, Sugiantoro and Aji Santoso --
who failed to mark the Thais skillful players.

"Thai players can easily spot our passing direction and our
defense zone is always empty. Thailand plays consistently and the
players are very hard-working. Moreover, our players seemed to
have less fighting spirit," he said in a media release.

Nandar expressed his hope that Indonesia could bounce back on
Sunday.

In Songkhla, Vietnam will seek to avenge its Tiger Cup final
defeat two years ago when it takes on Singapore on Saturday for a
semifinal place in this year's tournament.

A victory would not only give Vietnam a place in the last four
but possibly ensure a position as the Group B champion. To lose
would mean a repeat blow to its pride and an end to its 2000
Tiger Cup journey.

Vietnam lost to Singapore 0-1 in the 1998 final.

"Of course after Singapore we still have to play Laos in our
final group match. But I am sure if we lose tomorrow, we are out.
The result against Laos would make no difference," said coach
Alfred Riedl as quoted by AP.

Vietnam has four points from two matches while Singapore has
six from two. Even if Singapore loses Saturday's match, it will
have one more chance to get three points on Monday when it takes
on old enemy, Malaysia, which has seven points from three
matches.

"But I'd rather have the points in the bag now than wait for
Monday, for which there will be no guarantee either," said
Singapore coach, Vincent Subramaniam.

"It will be an interesting match and a battle of hearts and
minds. Both teams need to win and given the prevailing
circumstances, I see nothing but a tough battle ahead," he said.

Riedl said he sees no weak line in the Singapore side.

Vietnam will have to do without midfielder Tran Cong Min who
is down with an eye injury.

Singapore's captain, Nazri Nasir, meanwhile, is suffering a
black eye from a match against Cambodia six days ago and a
bruised thigh from a match in Singapore 10 days ago in the
friendly against Indonesia.

Also Saturday, Laos and Cambodia will compete to decide who
will end up as Group B's wooden spoonist and leave the tournament
without a victory to its name.

"We have never lost to Cambodia in all our previous matches as
far as I can remember. Not even in the age group competition. And
it will not happen tomorrow," said Laos coach Vattana
Outhensackda.

On the other hand, Cambodia's spirit has been given a
tremendous lift after its heartwarming performance against
Malaysia on Wednesday in a narrow 2-3 defeat.

"We are getting better with each match, and our confidence is
improving too. Nobody likes to go home without a win in the
tournament. Not Cambodia," coach Joachin Fickert said. (ivy)

Standings

Group A
Team P W D L GF GA Pts
Thailand 2 2 0 0 7 2 6
Myanmar 2 1 0 1 4 3 3
Indonesia 2 1 0 1 4 4 3
Philippines 2 0 0 2 0 6 0

Group B
Team P W D L GF GA Pts
Malaysia 3 2 1 0 8 2 7
Singapore 2 2 0 0 4 0 6
Vietnam 2 1 1 0 6 0 4
Laos 2 0 0 2 0 8 0
Cambodia 3 0 0 3 2 10 0