SINGAPORE 6:4 THAILAND

Full Time: 1:1  Plk.: 5:3

27 Jan. 2001  20:30 TST. Golden Mile Complex, Singapore

Report by: Bangkok Post Photo From: Sports.com

Singapore: Rezal Hassan, Rafi Ali, Aide Iskandar, S. Subramani, Nazri Nasir, Hafizat Jauharmi, Dalis Supiat (Mohammad Noor Ali, 65th), V. Selvaraj (Zulkarnaen Zainal, 62nd), Mohd Noh Rahman (A. Siva Kumar, 77th), Ali Imran Lomri (Hasrin Jailani, 45th), Noh Alam Shah (Fadzuhasny Juraimi, 63rd).

Thailand: Phansa Neesattham, Thanongsak Pajakkata (Surachai Jirasirichote 45th), Niweat Siriwong, Choketawee Promrut, Anuruck Srikerd, Chukiat Noosalung, Therdsak Chaiman (Surachai Jatturapattarapong, 65th), Tananchai Boriban, Tawan Sripan (Thongchai Aukarapong, 75th), Voravudh Srimaka (Sutee Sukomsit, 53rd), Kiatisak Senamuang (Pipat Thonkanya, 85th

Thais beaten in penalty shootout after chances go begging

Thailand suffered their first defeat since their successful Tiger Cup campaign last November when they went down 5-3 on penalties (full-time: 1-1) to Singapore in the Mikasa Challenge Cup at the National Stadium last night.

Entering the match on a high after their impressive come-from-behind 5-4 win over Kuwait on Tuesday, the Thais were expected to extend their winning streak over their perennial arch-rivals but found themselves grappling with a tenacious Singapore side instead.

Although Thailand generally had the edge over Singapore, they failed to convert the slew of scoring chances they had, no thanks in part to some fine goalkeeping by Singapore custodian Rezal Hassan.

That was what Thai coach Peter Withe was most sore about and the outspoken Englishman certainly did not mince his words after the game.

"I felt we played reasonably well but not as well as we are usually capable of. And that is why I am disappointed on the whole," he said.

"We created enough chances to win the game but never took them. Singapore, on the other hand, definitely looked more organised than the side that took part in the 1999 SEA Games and last year's Tiger Cup. They worked very hard against us."Thailand definitely had more chances than Singapore but it was the Lions who took the first stab at goal in the eighth minute. Skipper Nazri Nasir rifled a low blistering shot which was well smothered by goalkeeper Phansa Neesattham.

But Thailand returned the favour 14 minutes later when midfielder Tawan Sripan fired a first-time volley which Rezal did well to palm away.

Rezal pulled off two more good saves against the Thai strike force of Kiatisak Senamuang and Voravudh Srimaka but the 26-year-old goalkeeper was powerless against Sutee Sukomsit's low shot in the 71st minute.

Singapore had a dream chance to equalise in the 88th minute when midfielder Hafizat Jauharmi broke past the offside trap and had only Phansa to beat. His first attempt bounced off Phansa's legs but with the empty goal in front of him, the midfielder headed over the bar.

All seemed lost for Singapore at that point. But the Lions were then handed a lifeline in the 90th minute when Surachai Jirasirichote brought down Mohammad Noor Ali in the box. Referee Halim Abdul Hamid pointed to the spot instantly and waved away all protests from the Thai camp. Singapore midfielder Zulkarnaen Zainal stepped up and sent not just Phansa the wrong way but the match into penalty kicks.

Both sides converted their first two shots but Singapore went 3-2 ahead when Hasrin Jailani slotted his spot-kick home and Tananchai Boriban had his saved by Rezal.

Singapore went on to convert their remaining penalties while Thailand decided not to take their fifth shot after Rafi Ali scored his country's final penalty to put the result beyond doubt.