U23 SEA GAMES TEAM

THAILAND 7:0 CAMBODIA

SEA GAMES FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT 2001  (KL. MALAYSIA)

FIRST ROUND 01/09/2001 16:00 TST.

Thailand 7 (Teeratep Winothai 9, Datsakom Thonglao 15, Manit Noyvach 31, 83, 86, Narongchai Vachiraban 42, Jukkpant Punpee 65 pen.)

Cambodia 0
Half Time: 4-0

THAIS OPEN TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE

The Thais, gold medallists in the past four editions of the SEA Games, completely dominated the match and proved that htey were on the right track towards retaining the gold for a record fifth time.

Thailand's performance surely gave the other coaches watching the match today loads to worry about.

Thailand did not wasted much time in this Group A encounter when they blasted ahead with the SEA Games only eight minutes old through Teeratep Winothai.

Seven minutes later, Thailand netted a second, this time through a superbly taken freekick from Datsakorn Thonglao.

On the half hour mark, Thailand almost went further ahead but were denied by a fine save from the Cambodian keeper, Ouk Mic. But the keeper could do nothing the next minute when the lanky Manit Noyvach rose over the entire defence to nod the ball home.

Three minutes from the break, Narongchai Vachiraban, unmarked in the middle of the box, brought down a cross from Phichitphonh Choeichiu and tapped it into goal.

Thailand reduced their pace after the interval but were still in control. In the 66th minute, Thailand were awarded a penalty which Jukkpant Punpee easily converted.

Seven minutes from the end, Manit picked up his second goal of the day after waltzing through the Cambodian defence and slip the ball under the Cambodian keeper.

Manit completed his hattrick three minutes later when he again breezed through the tired Cambodian defence to roof the ball.

THAILAND: Panuwat Tanganurat, Jukkpant Punpee, Preratat Phoruandee (C), Narongchai Vachiraban, Anucha Kitpongsri, Teeratep Winothai, Sarawut Trephan (Thaweesak Morasilp), Phichitphonh Choeichiu, Jetsada Jitsawad, Manit Noyvach, Datsakorn Thonglao.

CAMBODIA: Ouk Mic, Sam El Nasa, Yous Bonarath, Peas Sothy (C) (Kim Chan Bunrith), Meas Channa, Pok Chanthan (Tes Sophat), Chea Virath (Neang Tith Mesa), Chea Makara, Poeu Sam Nang, Rith Dika, Kao Nisai.