THAIS BOOK PLACE IN SEMIS, LIONS CRASH OUT

Thailand, who in extremely wet conditions hammered Laos 13-1 two days ago, were just as dangerous today in the heat as they outclassed the Singaporeans. For Thailand, the victory secures their place in the semifinals while Singapore are the first team to crash out.

It took the Thais just four minutes to crack the Singapore defence.Skipper Suphaporn Kaeobaen, from the edge of the box, drilled a low shot that ripped past keeper Erlinawaty Dewi Jaafar. The Thai girls were celebrating seven minutes later when Chidtawan Chawong made it 2-0.

The Singaporeans appeared to recover from the early goals and consolidated their positions well. They did very well to cut off the Thai strikers but that lasted for the next 30 minutes. Nippy flanker Anootsara Maijarern, who scored twice against Laos, stunned her opponents with two quick strikes in 41st and 43rd minutes.

Chidtawan, who also scored two goals in the first match, notched her second of the day in the 44th minute to provide a comfortable lead going into the locker room. After the break, the Thais added three more goals, all through substitute Nisa Romyen, in the 70th, 76th and 80th minutes.

“It was a good result for us although we were not very concerned about the score. We used today’s match to test out some of our reserves and also used some players in different positions,” said coach Chana Yodprang. “We are pleased to make the semifinals but before that we have one more match against Myanmar which I believe will be an outstanding game.”

Singapore coach Nathaniel Klay Naplah was disappointed with his charges and said they did not heed his instructions. “Everything went wrong for us today … I was quite disappointed. Today our intention was to keep the scoreline down but my instructions were not carried out,” said the coach. “To lose 8-0 to Thailand, it just shows where we stand.”

THAILAND: Waraporn Boonsing, Darut Changplook, Thidarat Wiwasikhu, Duangnapa Sritala, Wilaiporn Boothduang, Junpen Seesraum, Chidtawan Chawong, Pitsamai Sornsai, Siriporn Mungkhala, Supaphorn Kaeobaen (c), Anootsara Maijarern.

SINGAPORE: Erlinawaty Dewi Jaffar, Sun Jie, Mishairati Mahadi, Goh Chu Ming, Luo Jian Zhen, Gan Hwee Fern, Dang Nur Amelia Amer, Siti Azlinah Abdul Aziz, Fazarina Zaiton, Noor Azean Adam (c), Li Jing