TWO OUT OF TWO FOR THAIS

Thailand, who was recently crowned the five-time champions of the Asean Futsal Championship, scored their first win in the group when they blasted Kuwait 8-0 yesterday.

And today, Ekkaphan Suratsawang’s first half hat trick was added to Panuwat Janta’s brace while Ekapong Suratsawang and Sermphan Khumthinkaew all made the score sheet.

Iraq replied through Hashim Kadhim, Hussein Ali and Abdul Karim Radi before an own goal by Janta completed the scoreline.

“Each game is very different and each game we encounter different tactics from opposition teams, for instance today against Iraq was very physical and they played the long ball quite a lot,” said Thailand head coach boss Pattaya Piemkum, whose team will be playing Uzbekistan next.

In the meantime, Phillipines improved somewhat in their second game in Group A when they held Tajikistan to a 2-2 draw.

Following from their nightmarish 16-0 loss in their first game to host Japan yesterday, Philippines found themselves 2-0 behind at the break when Tajikistan scored through Sherzod Jumaev in the 12th minute and Alisher Oulmassov two minutes later.

But the Philippines rebounded after the breather for Ariel Zarrudo to score twice in the 25th and 33rd minute for them to pick up their first point in the championship.

The story is different for Malaysia where after losing to China 2-0 in their first game in Group D yesterday, the Malaysians were thumped 15-1 by Asian powerhouse Iran this evening.

Vahid Shamsaee was the top scorer for Iran in the game against Malaysia with six goals when he scored in the 16th, 17th, 30th, 31st, 35th and 40th.

Malaysia scored their only goal of the game through Mohd Fadzil Abdul Karnim in the 28th minute.

PIC: THAILAND (red) against IRAQ (green)