THAILAND 3:1 KYRGYSTAN

30 Jan. 2001  19:00 TST. Supphachalasai Stadium

Report by: Tor Chittinand Bangkok Post
New players shine as Thailand dominate

Thailand dominated last night's friendly against nine-man Kyrgyzstan, winning 3-1 in front of 2,000 fans at Suphachalasai Stadium.

Thailand, who were without their Singapore-based players Kiatisak Senamuang, Tawan Sripan and Choketawee Promrat, took control from the start and in the 17th minute Pipat Thonkanya hit the post. Three minutes later, Tananchai Boriban missed a sitter.

Tempers flared just before half-time when Kyrgyzstan's Igor Kudrenko fouled Sakesan Pituratana but eventually the game resumed.

Two minutes after the break Thailand went ahead when Tananchai crossed and Sakesan Pituratana acrobatically headed home.

In the 50th minute, Kyrgyzstan were reduced to 10 men when Valeriy Berezovskiy picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Nataporn Phanrit. They were down to nine men three minutes later when Ruslan Sydykov was sent off after bringing down Sakesan. Pipat missed the resultant spot-kick.

Tananchai scored Thailand's second after a through ball and the third came from a 62nd-minute penalty from Therdsak Chaiman after Vladimir Salo handled in the area.

Ten minutes from the end, the visitors scored a consolation through Igor Kudrenko. Thai goalkeeper Virat Wangchan was at fault.

Thai coach Peter Withe said: "Several of our new players did very well, including Nataporn Phanrit, Pipat Thonkanya and Thanongsak Pajakkata."