MIDDLESBROUGH FC. 1:1 THAILAND

03 MAY 2001  19:00 TST. 

Report by: Tor Chittinand BANGKOK POST

  

Thailand had a respectable 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough reserves on Thursday in their second warm-up match in England for the World Cup qualifiers in Lebanon which begin May 13.

In the match against Middlesbrough, Thailand were boosted by the presence of four Singapore-based players-Choketawee Promrat, Niweat Siriwong, Kiatisak "Zico" Senamuang and Suthee Suksomkij.

Middlesbrough took the lead in the 13th minute through Rud Wilsia but Kiatisak replied for Thailand after a free-kick by Dusit Chalermsaen in the 27th minute.

After the match, Thailand's English coach, Peter Withe said "We did not play our best in this match. But I used some new players so it was to be expected."Middlesbrough's coach, Bryan Robson watched the game and said "Thailand played much better than in 1996 when we visited Bangkok. They have improved a lot."About Kiatisak, Robson said: "He is a talented player. When he came to Middlesbrough on trial we carefully watched him and seriously considered him. But we had a lot of players on our books at the so he did not get the opportunity."In a change of schedule today, Thailand take on Huddersfield reserves in a morning match. Kiatisak will be particularly keen to show what he can do against his former club which never gave him a first team match.