THAIS SNATCH INJURY TIME EQUALISER

The goal was meagre reward for relentless Thai pressure that pegged Myanmar in deep defence virtually throughout the match.

Perversely for the Thais, their intense pressure from the start of the match produced a moment’s distraction in defence in the 25th minute which saw Myanmar striker Si Thu Win rise unchallenged to meet a long diagonal cross from Min Thu.

The lanky Thu Win headed unerringly into the Thai goal to throttle the cheers of 20,000 Thai fans baying for a win by the home side.

Though Myanmar clung tenaciously and admirably to that lead, it appeared improbable that unremitting Thai pressure would go unrewarded.

Myanmar had goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo to thank for frustrating the Thais as he showed a safe pair of hands and flawless judgment when coming off his line.

When he went off with a dislocated third finger in his left hand minutes into the second half, it appeared that at last the Thais would break the jam upfront.

That very nearly was not to be as substitute Kyaw Zin Htet displayed equally safe keeping of the Myanmar goal.

However, Thai pressure finally gained its reward in the fourth minute of injury time when Pichitphong Choechiu passed to Suchao Nutnum who scored to partially atone for several unsuccessful attempts throughout the match.

Thailand head coach Chanvit Phalajivin said afterwards praise Myanmar goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo.

“I’m not disappointed with the result. We made one mistake and Myanmar scored,” said Chanvit.

Myanmar head coach U Sann Win said he was satisfied with the fighting spirit of his team.

“We played defensively because Thailand is strong. We will attack against Malaysia,” said Sann Win.

Further reactions to Thailand’s 1-1 draw with Myanmar in the second match of Group A match of the Asean Football Championship in Bangkok.

THAILAND COACH CHANVIT PHALAJIVIN

“We had so many chances but we could not score. Suddenly, one chance for Myanmar and they got the goal. We played an exciting, attacking game but there were a lot of missed chances because we tried to play too quickly.

“We tried to equalise as soon as possible and had so many missed chances. Today the man of the match was their goalkeeper (Aung Aung Oo).

“We had so many missed chances. Some of our forwards were nervous, with Myanmar leading 1-0 they tried to hurry, hurry. They should have played a more patient game.

“It was important that we got the equaliser for our chances (of winning) the tournament.”

MYANMAR COACH U SANN WIN

“It was a good display from us – we showed a lot of fighting spirit. We played very well.

“It was okay when they scored the goal. A draw was okay.

“It was no problem when goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo went off injured (in the second half with a dislocation of the left ring finger). The replacement goalkeeper is a good goalkeeper; he is only 19 years old.

“Thailand is a very strong team so we played defensively and tried to score on the counter attack. Next year we will be a more attacking team. I have only coached this team for six months only.

“Malaysia is a good team, a strong team. But we will try to play the same way again against them.”