THAI PRECISION GAINS THEM FIRST LEG ADVANTAGE

Datsakorn Thonglao’s shot from a 25-metre freekick that sneaked through the Vietnamese defensive maze into goal in the 27th minute epitomised the superior Thai precision just as Phan Than Binh’s missed penalty in the 44th minute symbolised the contrasting defect in Vietnam’s approach.

Minutes before Datsakorn scored, he sent a freekick over the Vietnam crossbar.

He changed tack at the next opportunity and scored with a craftily placed shot through a gap in the perforated Vietnam defence.

Obviously, Vietnam could not allow this early setback to dampen the ardour of their fans that filled the 40,000-capacity stadium with the dominant red motif of the national flag and with sound of drums.

But sound and colour in the stands were no substitute for substance, or more precisely accuracy, on the pitch.

On 44 minutes, Vietnam’s left back Nguyen Van Bien on a thrilling overlapping run found himself in the Thai box where he was fouled.

But an expectant crowd’s cheers were choked when Phan Thanh Binh stabbed the penalty kick wide of the near post.

The second half rehashed the first half pattern of measured Thai play against Vietnamese speed that lacked the cutting edge of precision.

This defect was not only apparent in their attack but also in defence.

From such imprecision in defence in the 80th minute, Thailand’s Sutee Suksomkit and Pipat Thonkanya found themselves with gifted possession of the ball which they used cleverly to outfox a scrambling Vietnamese defence.

Pipat put the deadly finishing touch to cap a two-goal advantage to Thailand in the first leg.

Chanvit Phalajivin, head coach of Thailand

“If the Vietnam team played football, they would have
won. They were more interested in hurting our players
than in playing football.

“I have always had respect for the Vietnam football
fan because of the way he comes out in support of his
team. You had a full stadium today and that shows the
support your football receives.

“With that support, you can only get better. But you
have to play football, not boxing, to win at
football.”

Alfred Riedl, head coach of Vietnam –

“If any team misses the chances we had today, they
cannot win. Our players missed too many chances.

“In the return leg I would hope for a repeat
performance by my team but without the missed chances.
We have to score from the chances we make, otherwise
no team can win.”