THAILAND 1:2 REAL MADRID

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Thailand put on a spirited display

Large crowd witness Real Madrid victory

Wanchai Rujawongsanti, Bangkok Post

Real Madrid bade farewell to Asia last night with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over a spirited Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium, completing four wins out of four matches on their hyped-up and controversial tour of the Far East.

Although the Spanish champions were clearly the better side of the night, the Thais, in particular the young ones, fought with their steely determination which earned them a creditable result before a virtually-packed crowd at the 65,000-capacity stadium. Real had easily won their previous three matches on the tour of the region, beating China Dragons 4-0, FC Tokyo 3-0 and Hong Kong XI 4-2.

After the entertaining game, the stadium became a sea of candles and fireworks in a ceremony to mark Her Majesty the Queen's birthday on Tuesday, with Real players also joining the celebration. It was as if wishing them a safe return home as the nine-time European champions left Bangkok shortly after the match.

The match was presided over by Privy Councillor Gen Pichit Kullavanija, who represented Her Majesty the Queen, and was witnessed by a number of VIPs including Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Tourism and Sports Minister Sonthaya Khunpluem and world-renowned singer Ricky Martin.

The Madrid club rested four of their superstars in the starting line-up _ Brazilian striker Ronaldo, his compatriot Roberto Carlos, Spanish forward Raul Gonzalez and Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo who was suffering from a slight injury.

Their starting 11 included David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Fernando Morientes and stand-in captain Guti. Thailand, meanwhile, started with their strongest possible squad led by veterans Kiatisak ``Zico'' Senamuang, Tawan Sripan, Dusit Chalermsan and Choktawee Prommarat.

The home side took on the Spaniards impressively throughout the first half as their defence, marshalled by Choktawee, neutralised Real's attacks. Zidane thrilled the crowd with some dazzling footwork and Beckham produced fine passes and crosses.

Both sides had considerable opportunities to score but could not convert them into goals, with Thailand often threatening Real Madrid on the right flank through Niweat Siriwong.

Thailand almost stunned the Spanish giants after eight minutes when Kiatisak stole the ball from Ruben Gonzalez just outside the box and raced into the area. But the Thai ace looked indecisive giving Madrid defenders time to block him.

Thai defender Thanongsak Pajakta was the first to be booked after 19 minutes when he tripped young striker Javier Portillo who was charging toward the goal, providing Beckham his first chance to demonstrate his trade-mark free-kick from 25 yards out. Although the England captain curled his shot wide, the crowd went wild.

The Spaniards opened their account after 30 minutes as Morientes ran into the area and fed Portillo who easily tapped in past goalkeeper Kittisak Rawangpa who had had little to do before conceding the goal.

The 29-time Spanish champions almost doubled their scoreline in the 40th minute when Beckham's long pass perfectly met Zidane who had only Kittisak to beat but his shot was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper.

The Thais came close to levelling the match when Therdsak Chaiman's free-kick went wide and Niweat's fierce drive was finely blocked by Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas shortly before the interval.

Thailand made four changes in the second half pulling out goalkeeper Kittisak, Tawan, Dusit and Peeratat Phoruandee and sending on young stars including goalkeeper Kosin Hathairattanakool, who was Thailand's best player in the second half. Thailand coach Peter Withe then gradually took off the veterans including captain Kiatisak to give young players a taste of international football.

``It was a great experience for the young players. This shows that they can cope with pressure in big games,'' said Withe afterwards.

Real Madrid's game became more lively after the break with substitute wing-back Carlos operating on the left. The Spanish side could have added more goals in the opening minutes after the interval only to be denied by Kosin, who saved from the feet of Portillo and blocked Morientes' close-range shot.

But it was Thailand who got their equaliser after 63 minutes when substitute Sarayut Chaikamdee received a fine pass from Issawa Singtong to slot home past substitute goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez. ''It is a great experience to score against a world-class team. I'm very proud,'' said the 22-year-old forward after the game.

But Real Madrid regained the lead only three minutes later thanks to Morientes' tap-in which left Kosin no chance. Real Madrid squandered several clear chances while Thailand also had their own opportunities with Phaitoon Thiabma's shot from a quick pass from a free-kick saved by Sanchez late in the game.

Real coach Carlos Queiroz said he was pleased by the outcome and glad to give happiness to Thais inside and outside the stadium. He added that the Asian tour had given his players opportunities to improve their skill and technique.

Real Madrid will play in Thailand

By.. Wanchai Rujawongsanti/ Bangkok Post

Real Madrid's visit to Thailand is now for real as organisers confirmed yesterday that they had struck a deal with the Spanish champions at a cut price.

The star-studded side will play a friendly against Thailand on August 10 at Rajamangala Stadium and are scheduled to arrive in Bangkok a day earlier, said Vorawoot Rojanaparnich, managing director of Dhospaak Co.

``Following our talks in the past two days, Real Madrid have agreed to bring their full squad to Thailand. The fees are much cheaper than the sum they had asked for in our previous negotiations. It is about half the previous fees,'' he said.

``We are delighted that we are giving Thais the chance to see world-class stars.''

Madrid superstars include some of the world's most expensive players such as Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Raul Gonzalez and new signing David Beckham, arguably the world's most popular player who receives cult status in Asia.

The government had earlier tried to bring the Spanish club to Thailand but could not reach an agreement because they demanded around 130 million baht in appearance fees. While Vorawoot did not disclose the agreed appearance fees, insiders said it was around US$1.2 million (about 51 million baht).

Real Madrid, who are in China for the first stop of their Asian tour, were originally scheduled to play in Malaysia on August 10, their last destination of the current trip.

Malaysian organisers said earlier this week that they had called off the match because Real asked for nearly US$3 million. The Madrid side reportedly increased the fees to three times of the original price after they had signed Beckham from Manchester United.

The reported astronomical appearance fees prompted Peter Velappan, secretary-general of the Asian Football Confederation, to label the Spanish champions ``blood suckers'' and ``mercenaries.'' He also called on his Asian national associations not to pay such a huge sum for touring teams.

But Vorawoot said Real Madrid representatives told him that the Malaysia match had been cancelled because the organisers were in breach of contract.

Accoring to Vorawoot, the contract stated that Malaysia could not hold any international matches 30 days before the Real game. However, the Malaysians are currently featuring the Premier League Asia Cup involving Chelsea, Newcastle and Birmingham.

The Bangkok match will be co-organised by Dhospaak, the Football Association of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand, said Vorawoot, whose firm holds the broadcast rights of the 2006 World Cup and some other Fifa-sanctioned tournaments.