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JAKARTA: Thailand did little to help their chances in the AFF Suzuki
Cup as they were held to a goalless draw by Malaysia at the Gelora
Bung Karno Stadium on Saturday.
The three-time champions struggled to break down their opponents on a
heavy surface as they were held to their second consecutive draw in
Group A. They will likely need a win against hosts Indonesia in their
final group game on Tuesday to guarantee their progress to the last
four.
Bryan Robson made six changes to his starting line-up after their
disappointing 2-2 opening draw with Laos and the Thais were much the
brighter side in the first half as they probed the Malaysian defence
without success in heavy conditions following afternoon rain.
Sarayoot Chaikamdee, Thailand's two-goal hero against Laos, appeared
eager to add to his total as he fired a low shot narrowly wide of the
left upright after seven minutes and headed a dangerous cross from the
right by Suree Sukha straight at goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat a
minute later.
In a half of few chances, the best opportunity fell to the Thais in
the 18th minute when Teerasil Dangda dashed into box to receive a
return pass from Datsakorn Thonglao. He got to the ball just ahead of
Khairul but lost control at the crucial moment and failed to to get
his attempt on target.
With the Malaysian defence showing much better discipline after losing
5-1 to Indonesia in the opener, the Thais were reduced to shooting
from distance with Datsakorn firing straight at Khairul from 20 metres
in the 29th minute and blazing over with a long-range attempt just
before half-time.
Malaysia had an opportunity to break the deadlock three minutes into
the second half when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the
box for Natthaphong Samana's two-footed challenge on Norshahrul Idlan.
Skipper Safiq Raman took the kick that flew just wide of Sinthaweechai
Hathairattanakool's right post.
The Thais appeared short of ideas as they continued to shoot from
distance. Suchao Nutnum saw his low attempt from 25 metres touched
wide by Khairul and then shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
Malaysia very nearly grabbed a goal against the run of play in the
64th minute. Norshahrul tricked his way down the right flank and
squared the ball for an unmarked S. Kunalan who blazed over from 15
metres.
Sarayoot was kept quiet for much of the game but he very nearly ended
the stalemate 11 minutes from time when he turned defender in the
Malaysian box but failed to beat Khairul from close range.
With eight minutes left, the Thais appeared to have won a penalty when
Suchao went down on the box but Myanmar referee Win Cho saw the things
differently and booked the player for diving.
With the game heading into stoppage time, Teerasil broke into the
Malaysian box on the left but his attempt was deflected onto the
Malaysian crossbar and out of play. He had a second chance from the
resulting corner but his shot was heroically blocked by a defender.
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