SEA GAMES 2013: Vietnam’s Power Play-ed to Thai Hands

NAYPYITAW (20 Dec 2013) – A failed power play from Vietnam in the second half, played to Thailand’s advantage when they beat the former 8-1 in the final of the men’s Futsal event here at the Naypyitaw Futsal Stadium.

Down 4-0 just at the start of the second half, Vietnam launched power play in the hope of closing the gap on the ASEAN champions. But their failure to keep possession saw Thailand scoring three goals in one minute to ensure that they are well beyond reach of their hapless opponents.

“We played as a team today and it showed,” said Thai coach Vic Hermans. “It was a game of high intensity but we showed the better quality.”

Thailand, the champions two years ago in Indonesia, were never in doubt of the crown and they did not take too long to score the opener in the eighth minute when Suphawut Thuenklang blasted in from the right to beat Vietnam keeper Phuoc Anh Dang.

Five minutes later, it was Piyanat Nusaya to grab the second goal as Thailand the finished the first half 3-0 up following the third strike from Suphawut’s penalty with a minute remaining of the first half.

A minute after the break, a wicked freekick saw Atirat Sittisak heading in the fourth goal as it pushed Vietnam’s desperation to launch their power play a few minutes later.

That was to be the biggest mistake Vietnam made in the final where within the 26^th minute of play – an own goal from Van Tu Tran, Piyapan Ratana and also Jirawat Sornwichian – gave Thailand an unassailable 7-0 lead.

But the inability of both sets of players to keep their emotions in check saw Thailand’s Jetsada Chudech picking up his second yellow of the game for an unnecessary elbow on Hoang Vinh Tran.

With Thailand a man down, Vietnam pushed forward and almost came close with their first goal of the game but Thai keeper Sakchai Hamaitree made two crucial saves to keep the score intact.

In the 34^th minute, Thailand once again found the back of the net with Jirawat the provider and Suphawut the finisher. And three minutes later, Vietnam finally best Sakchai when Quoc Nam Le made good a quick counter attack.

But the game was overshadowed by two more red cards at the end when Vietnam’s Hoang Vinh Tran and Thailand’s Piyapan got into a tussle. And this led to an almost blow-out after the game but which match officials managed to keep a lid on things.

In the meantime, Indonesia won the bronze when they beat hosts Myanmar 6-5 in the fight for third and fourth placing.