Four-goal Zico pummels Pakistan

Thailand, whose players were presented before the match with 500,000 baht by the Football Association of Thailand to share between themselves as a reward for their recent improvement, were only 1-0 up at half-time but soon established command in the second half.

Pakistan were reduced to 10 men for the last 19 minutes when their goalkeeper was sent off after a professional foul on the dangerous Zico.

Thailand head coach Peter Withe said: "Pakistan played very well in the first half while our passing let us down. But we showed a lot of improvement in the second half and everyone played well.

"The Lebanon match will be an exciting one for the players and the Thai people and we will need to play at 110 percent."In front of a good crowd of around 20,000, Thailand-who beat Pakistan 3-0 in the first leg in Beirut-had only a ninth-minute goal from Kiatisak to show for all their first-half domination, mainly because of some inspired play by Pakistan goalkeeper Jaffar Khan.

Therdsak Chaiman crossed from the right and Zico was on hand to score his sixth goal of the qualifying tournament.

Six minutes after the break, Thailand got their second goal from the penalty spot. Kiatisak was fouled by Muhammad Asghar and he got up to bury the spot-kick.

In the 55th minute, the star striker completed his hat-trick after good work from Tawan Sripan and Therdsak.

Khan continued to deny Thailand as they pressed forward but then in the 71st minute the Pakistan goalkeeper was sent off when he upended Kiatisak when the striker was clean through on goal after a long clearance from home keeper Kittisak Rawangpa. Reserve goalkeeper Noman Ibrahim came on but he could not save the resultant penalty which brought Zico his fourth goal of the match.

Niweat Siriwong grabbed the fifth when Ibrahim let his cross from the right slip through his hands and the sixth came when when Dusit Chalermsang crossed to the far post and substitute Voravudh Srimaka-replacing Suthee Suksomkij-headed the ball back for defender Surachai Jirasirichote to head home.