BANGKOK (12 Nov 2012) – Even with the vociferous backing of their home fans, Thailand could not get the better of former champions Spain as they were shown the exit in the final 16 tie of the FIFA Futsal World Cup.
“The difference between Spain and Thailand is that when you take too many risks they’ll score. We had some chances when it was 0-0 but we failed to capitalise and against teams like Spain you must take the chances you have,” said Victor Hermans, the coach of Thailand.
Just nine minutes in, Torras found the back of the net off a counter-attack. That looked to spark the War Elephants into life, testing Spain a number of times, but Torras was on hand to double the lead before half-time, converting a cross at the far post.
Having switched ends, La Roja went about winning the game in calm and controlled manner befitting their tag as one of the tournament favourites. Thailand were intent on giving the crowd something to cheer about but the Spaniards were ruthless in punishing their attacking forays.
Dispossessing them all too easily, Spain made it 5-0 before the midpoint of the second-half, with Fernandao converting crosses from Alemao and Alcardo, before the latter added another.
Thailand took the bold step of removing their goalkeeper in a bid to find their way back into the game, but they were made to pay for their cavalier approach. First Ortiz, and then Alvaro struck from behind the halfway line to find the gaping goal.
However, just over a minute from the end, they managed a breakthrough. Kritsada Wongkaeo fired in to the bottom right-hand corner of Spain’s net to give them the goal they wanted.
