THAILAND 3:4 DPR. KOREA

FULL TIME 0:0 PLK. 3:4

King's Cup 2002 Tournament FINAL

16/02/2002 16:00 TST. SUPRACHALASAI STADIUM,  BANGKOK

Withe slams visitors' negative tactics

Tor Chittinand

North Korea captured the 33rd King's Cup yesterday when they defeated defending champions Thailand 4-3 in a penalty shootout at Bangkok's Suphachalasai Stadium after the teams were deadlocked at 0-0 in 90 minutes.

The North korean platers celebrate after winning the penalty shootout. - Somchai Poomlard

Two Thai players, Jakkraphan Panpee and Surachai Jirasirichote, failed to convert their penalties while the only Korean to miss was Ri Man Chol.

Afterwards Thailand head coach Peter Withe hit out at the North Koreans' negative tactics.

``They did not come to win the game during normal time but seemed content to wait for the penalty shootout.

``I am very disappointed as they didn't deserve to win the King's Cup at all. But it was up to us to break them down and we could not do it.''

In front of an enthusiastic crowd of 20,000, Thailand took control of the match from the start and should have scored as early as the seventh minute when after good work from Anuruck Srikerd and Sakesan Pituratana, Therdsak Chaiman headed over the bar.

Three minutes later, GSM Thailand League top scorer Pitipong Kuldilok headed wide after a cross from Therdsak.

North Korea created their first chance in the 14th minute but Kim Yong Jun shot over the bar. That led to a spell in which the Koreans started to put pressure on the Thai defenders and the visitors had several chances which they could not convert.

Thailand goalkeeper Kittisak Rawangpa saved well from Ri and then 10 minutes before half-time it was the turn of North Korean keeper Jon Tae Yong to make a good stop to deny Sakesan.

Thailand finished the half strongly and Nirut was denied by the Korean goalkeeper.

After the break, Sakesan should have scored when he rose to head a free-kick from the left taken by Anucha Kitpongsri but once again Jon was able to deny the hosts.

In the 56th minute, Pitipong had to go off with an injured ankle and he was replaced by Phaitoon Tiebma, who almost immediately had a chance set up by another substitute, Tananchai Boriban _ replacing Nirut Surasiang _ but Phaitoon missed the target.

Thailand continued to pile the pressure on but could not break through and it was North Korea who nearly scored through Kim Yong Jun but Kittisak saved well.

In the 85th minute Thailand almost got the winner but Therdsak fired just wide and in the end the Koreans held out.

Thailand team manager Kasem Jariyawatwong said: ``We played our best. The shootout came down to luck and I cannot blame our players at all.

``I would like to say sorry to the Thai fans that we could not win the King's Cup. We had many chances to score but just could not get the goal.''

North Korean team manager Kim Jong Man said: ``We are very happy. It is very special for us to win the King's Cup and we played very well.''