BANGKOK (Feb 4, 2007) - An 84th minute goal against the run of play by substitute Mohd Khairul Amri saw Singapore successfully defend their position as Asean champions on the strength of a 1-1 draw with Thailand in the second leg final of the Asean Football Championship at the Supachalasai Stadium here today.

The defending champions needed only a draw to retain the title following their controversy-marred 2-1 victory in the first leg at the National Stadium in Singapore last Wednesday.

The match was staged to a packed stadium of 40,000 people whose distaste for the Singapore team was made clear in the pre-match rituals of team introductions and line-ups and the playing of national anthems that preceded the opening whistle.

Thailand led 1-0 at halftime which was a justified lead and was set to extend that in the second half in order to gain the lead in overall aggregate for the two matches.

But for their entire attacking propensity in the second half, the Thais had nothing to show on the scorecard.

At the start, Singapore appeared a little more dangerous in attack while Thailand’s approach work, marked by triangle passes and darting runs, was more attractive.

The greater menace in the Singapore attack was evidenced by the fact that they had the ball in the net as early as the 8th minute when off a free kick, Mohd Shahril Ishak gained possession and steered the ball in but was ruled offside.

The tension generated by the controversy-marred first leg was palpable in the way the players sometimes held on to the ball a little too long only to find a player from the opposition rob them of it.

There appeared to be a premium on not making mistakes rather than in individual initiative and inspiration.

Thailand scored on 36 minutes through striker Pipat Thonkanya after midfielder Datsakorn Thonglao, the best player on the field, looped a pass to him.

Pipat took it on the run, eluded a defender and booted the ball hoe from 15 metres.

The goal rewarded a spell of sustained pressure by the Thais that had earlier seen Pipat force a brilliant save from Singapore goalkeeper Lionel Lewis in the 22nd minute before Sutee Suksomkit shot narrowly wide on 27 minutes.

Thailand came out looking for more goals in the second half but all they had was hatful of missed. Perversely, as happens in matches when one side attacks without success, Singapore countered with one good thrust in the 84th minute.

Khairul Amri, who had earlier substituted Itimi Dickson, ran unchallenged for 20 metres before unleashing a thunderbolt that had Thai captain and goalkeeper Kittisak Rawangpa comprehensively beaten.

In post-match comments, Thailand head coach Chanvit Phalajivin said he was not disappointed with the result.

“My players played with good spirit and it was a good game. The match should have been a draw but such is football. We have to accept the result.”

Singapore head coach Radojko Avramovic offered the view that the final saw the best two teams in Southeast Asia.

“It was a good game. Amri’s goal must have been the best in the tournament.

“In the first half, our players had to go forward in search of goals. But it was only in the second half that we could score.”