BANGKOK: Thailand beat Bahrain 5-0 in the opening match of the 2020 AFC U23 Championship.
The Group ‘A’ match was played at the Rajamangala National Stadium in the Thai capital. The group includes Iraq and Australia.
The goals were netted by Suphanat Mueanta (12, 79), Supachok Sarachart (47) and Jaroensak Wonggorn (89, 90+2).
Roared on by passionate home crowd, Thailand started brightly with star striker Supachai Chaided firing narrowly wide within the first four minutes.
Thailand’s early dominance was to pay handsome dividends when they took the lead on 12 minutes, Suphanat brilliantly collecting a pass from Supachok Sarachart and finding the far corner.
As Thailand continued to press, Suphanat rattled the bar with an effort from 10 yards before Bahrain goalkeeper Ammar Mohamed pulled off a fine save.
Thailand scored the second goal shortly after half-time. Supachok bamboozled defender Salem Adel Hasan before squeezing the ball home from an acute angle to double his side’s advantage.
Sensing the game was slipping away from them, Bahrain regrouped and duly saw Thailand custodian Korraphat Nareechan react superbly to gather Mohamed Marhoon’s shot and, moments later, turn away a powerful Hamad Al Shamsan header.
Having weathered the brief Bahraini storm, Thailand came close to extending their advantage in the 72nd minute only for Supachai to head Anon Amornlerdsak’s pinpoint cross over the bar from close range.
Thailand did not, however, have to wait long for their third though, the excellent Suphanat racing clear and bending the ball beyond Ammar’s dive.
Substitute Jaroensak Wonggorn was then on hand to round off the scoring with two late goals and seal a fine victory for Thailand.
The result leaves Thailand two points clear at the top of the group standings following Iraq’s 1-1 draw with Australia.
Bahrain coach Samir Chammam said that the Thai team enjoyed better fitness in the match.
Addressing a press conference after the match, Chammam said that the team will seek to avoid mistakes and be more offensive during the next two meetings against Iraq and Australia.
Chammam congratulated Thailand, saying that they performed well as a team and had some excellent players.
The AFC championship, a 2020 Tokyo Olympiad qualifier, opened yesterday and will run until January 28.
Bahrain will play Iraq on Saturday before taking on Australia on Tuesday.
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