NATIONAL TEAM

THAILAND 1:1 IRAQ

WORLD CUP 2002 ASIAN QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT  (BANGKOK THAiLAND)

2nd ROUND 22/09/2001 18:30 TST.

More than 15,000 fans turned up for the Asian Group A game between the teams in the bottom two positions in the table. Iraq beat Thailand 4-0 in Baghdad last month.

Thailand fielded a new strike partnership in Kiatisak "Zico" Senamuang and Sutee Suksomkit but it was goalkeeper Kittisak Rawangpa who excelled first with a superb save to deny Qahtan Drain.

Sutee was then denied by Iraqi goalkeeper Saad Jameel and then Tawan Sripan set up Kiatisak but once again Jameel was equal to the task.

Goalkeeper Kittisak was then forced into action again with another good save but in the 38th minute Thailand went ahead.

Tawan crossed from the right and Sutee headed home.

Iraq come out after half-time determined to attack, knowing this was a must-win game for them.

And in the 63rd minute they equalised with a strike from Emad Rida.

Two minutes later Iraq should have taken the lead when the referee awarded a penalty after an apparent hand-ball by a Thai defender.

But Emad's shot was saved by Kittisak.

Thailand seemed to run out of stamina, as in last week's 3-1 home defeat against Saudi Arabia.

Iraq kept the pressure on the Thais and Hawar Taher came close to grabbing a winner.

But at the death Thailand had a chance to win when substitute Sakesan Pituratana headed over when he should have scored.

Thailand coach Peter Withe said: "It was an entertaining game because both sides were trying to win.

"I was amazed by the penalty decision. I don't know why the referee awarded it, I didn't see a hand-ball.

"We have now drawn three matches and we could and should have won two of them."

RESULTS

Thailand 1 (Sutee Suksomkit 38) Iraq 1 (Emad M. Ridha 63)