SEA GAMES 2011: TWO-GOAL NATTARID LEADS THAILAND PAST CAMBODIA

SENAYAN (11 Nov 2011) – Thailand bounced back from their mid-week defeat to beat Cambodia with a comprehensive 4-0 score line in a Group A match that was played in front of a sparse crowd at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium this evening.

And the hero was Nattarid Thammroddodpon, who slammed two goals in the second half to give the Thais their first three points of the competition.

The Thais, determined to regain the crown they lost two years ago in Laos, conceded a 2-1 loss to Malaysia in their opening game in the group on Wednesday. Which meant that they have to beat Cambodia this evening to put their campaign back on track considering that they still have matches against hosts Indonesia and Singapore coming up.

The Cambodians on the other hand had gone into the game wanting to improve on their last performance against Singapore where after scoring the lead, they fell to a 2-1 loss to the Young Lions.

But this evening, it was to be the Thais who had the lion’s share of the possession and also the attacking flair led by striker and also captain Ronnachai Rangsiyo, who tested Cambodian keeper Um Vichet in the 13^th minute with a stiff grounder.

And five minutes later, the Thais were in front – coming in the from the left, Natarid Thammroddodpon cut into the box before dribbling past three Cambodian defenders for a shot to beat Um Vichet. Thailand pressed on after that and Natarid again came close but Cambodia stood firm to deny them.

In the 33^rd minute, Ronachai picked up a pass from the middle of the park but after dribbling into the box, his shot was blocked by Um Vichet. The score stood at 1-0 to the Thais at the break.

Thailand began brighter into the second half with two attempts from Nattarid coming off the woodwork. In the 67^th minute, Cambodia replied with a superb header from Sok Pheng off a cross from Souk Rithy to force Thai keeper Ukrit Wongmeena into an outstretched save.

In the 72^nd minute, Thailand finally went in front again off Attapong Nooprom as substitute Kroekrit Thawikan then added goal No. 3 with a rebounder three minutes later.

The Thais then rounded off the night with the fourth goal on 82 minute with Ronnochai providing the assist as Attapong then giving the finishing touch to complete an eventful evening for the ASEAN giant.

SEA GAMES FIXTURES
GROUP A