IT was a victory nobody expected. Thailand yesterday romped to an amazing 5-1 win over Finland to claim the prestigious King's Cup for the first time since 1994 at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

In front of a 15,000-strong crowd, the Kingdom's players showed what determination and dedication could bring about. Indeed, it is an incredible turnaround to a side that got drubbed by the strong Brazilian first team 0-7 last week.

As expected, Finland played their long ball game while Thailand, dwarfed by the European giants, played the passing game. The Finns dominated the first 20 minutes but the Scandinavians squandered several scoring chances, all within the penalty box.

Outside the playing area, their die-hard supporters (the familiar faces who attended all the four matches of their national side) chanted in Finnish: "Suomi . . . Maali," which means, "Finland . . . Goal . . .".

The hyperactive and unruly Finns, however, were on their best behaviour unlike the previous occasions. Perhaps, the presence of four officials, armed with sticks and watching their every move, seemed to have mellowed them.

In the 21st minute, the lively Finnish fans were silenced as Thailand drew first blood. Sakesan Piturat passed the ball back from inside the box to Anuruck Srikerd, who blasted from 30 yards. The ball surprisingly went in as goalkeeper Magnus Bagne was standing too far from his citadel.

Thailand then widened the gap three minutes later when rising star Pipat Thongkanya beat three taller defenders and whipped the ball home from 20 yards. It was the third goal of the tournament for the 21-year-old player, who scored two sensational goals that put Thailand in the final.

Stunned and overwhelmed by the unexpected 0-2 deficit, the Finns started to make all the wrong moves, In the 35th minute, Finland could have narrowed the gap as Shefki Kuqi headed the ball towards the box. Jarkko Wiss rushed in but was a fraction of a second late to meet the ball as keeper Wirat Wangchan, beaten all ends up, watched the ball go harmlessly.

Thailand drove the partisan crowd wild again by going up 3-0. A minute from time, Nirut Surasiang spun the ball from the right corner. Jarmo Saastamoinen headed to the energetic Anuruck, who was lurking nearby. The midfielder converted the golden opportunity for his second goal.

After the breather, Finland fielded their main keeper Jani Viander and striker Toni Kallio with the hope that the situation might improve. But it was not to be. The Kingdom ran up a 4-0 lead in the 56th minute. Tananchai Boriban, who got the ball from Sakesan, tried to put Pipat through but his pass was deflected back by a Finnish defender. Tananchai coolly slotted it past Viander, the ball sneaking in after hitting the far post.

Finland continued to play their high ball game and found the net in the 73rd minute when Wiss made a fine cross from the right flank and Kallio headed it past keeper Wirat, whose feet seemed glued to the ground.

The goal revived the Finnish supporters, who started to chant "Ole, ole, ole, Beer Chang, Beer Chang," obviously referring to the alcoholic drinks that was intoxicating their very souls.

But Finland's attempt to come back into the game was halted by the marvellous Thais, who took complete control of the game. In the 80th minute, Sakesan almost registered his first goal of the tournament when he drove the ball into the box. But he was declared offside and the goal disallowed.

Two minutes later, Thailand completed the Finnish bashing. Anuruck gained the possession of the ball and got into a one-to-one duel with Viander and outwitted the goalie to complete his hat-trick. It was the first hat-trick by a Thai player in the 31 editions of the tournament.

After the game, Finland coach Antti Muurinen, was quick to shower praises on the Kingdom players, saying: "We succumbed before the strong desire of the Thais to win the cup. They played exceptionally well and fully deserved the victory. Every goal was wonderful. I liked the way Choketawee, Anuracuk, Pipat and Kowit Foythong played. They played very well. The game was better than the previous one."

Peter Withe, Thailand's English coach, said he was delighted by the outcome.

"My favourite goal was the third one of ours scored by Anuruck. It was initiated from the corner. We have been training for it for a long time."

While Thailand's team manager Virach Chanpanich said: "Our team is improving. We have uncovered a few more talented players. We have Anuruck, who will develop as the backbone of our team. Pipat needs to gain fitness and strength to secure his position."

Vijit Getkaew, president of the Football Association of Thailand, said: "I'm very pleased with the way the boys have performed in such a star-studded tournament. We played against three strong teams and still managed to come out triumphant. Next time, I will try to invite more stronger teams like England and Germany."

Earlier, defending champions Brazil ended third by defeating Estonia 1-0. It was a sweet revenge for the world under-17 champions, who eventually succeeded in scoring. The lone goal of the match was scored by Mathewus Coradini Vivian in the 36th minute.

Jan Oun of Estonia was shown the red card a minute from the final whistle for stomping Eduardo Casta on the thigh. Only two players were sent off in the event. The other player to get the punishment was Brazil's Marquinhos, who was booked twice in the last preliminary match against Finland on Friday in which the Brazilians lost 0-3.

BY KOMKRIT NAPALAI and

WARARAK VORAVIDTHAYAKOM

The Nation

Team Honors

Team Honors

Team Honors

Team Honors

• Fourth time in Olympic Football (1912, 1936, 1952, 1980)
• 4th Place in Olympic Stockhome 1912
• 2nd Place in UEFA Youth Tournament 1975

• Eight time in South East Asian Games Football Tournament wins  (1965, 1975, 1981, 1983, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999)

• 4th Place in ASIAN Games Football Tournament (1990, 1998)

• Second time in Olympic Football (1956, 1968)

• Ten time in King Cup wins (1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994)

• 16th World Cup finals

• 4 World Cup wins (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994)

• Runners-up in 1950

• 5 Copa America wins (1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997)

Player List 31st KING CUP 2000

Brazil U17

Coach: Anti Murinen

Jani Kluas Viander,  Harri Ylonen, Ville Nylund,  Jarmo Tapio Saastamoinen,Tero Penttila, Tommi Gronlund, Jarkko Wiss, Teemu Tainio, Antti Sumiala, Mika Lehkosuo, Shefk iKuqi, Magnus Bahne,Janne Hietanen, Marko Tuomela,Vesa Vasara, Timo Marjamaa,Mika Kottila, PetriHelin,Toni  Kuivasto, Toni Kallio

Coach: Wanderley Luxemburgo

Keepers:
Dida (Corinthians) and Marcos (Palmeiras);
Defenders: Claudio Cacapa (Atletico-MG), Roque Junior (Palmeiras)
Winger: Athirson (Flamengo);
Midfielders: Marcos Paulo (Cruzeiro), Fabiano (Sao Paulo) and Juninho (Vasco);
Striker: Ronaldinho (Gremio).

The players from abroad are: 

Elber (Bayer, Munique), Jardel (Porto), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Rivaldo (Barcelona), Cafu (Roma), Evanilson (Borussia Dortmund), Fabio Bilica (Venezia), Emerson and Ze Roberto (both in Bayer Leverkusen).

Coach: Sergio Farias

Keepers - Rudinho (Corinthians) and Diego (Palmeiras)

Wingers - Anderson (Flamengo), Carlos Henrique (Vitoria) and Jean (Vasco)

Defenders - Marquinhos (Corinthians), Matheus (Gremio), Alonso (Fluminense) and Wendel (Corinthians)

Midfielders - Eduardo (Gremio), Leo (Vasco), Caca (Atletico Mineiro), Wellington (Corinthians), Bruno (Gremio), Celio (Fluminense), Fernandes (Botafogo), Igor (Vasco) and Leandro (Vitoria)

Strikers - Leandro (Sao Paulo), Anderson (Vasco), Bruno Moraes (Santos) and Tavares (Gremio)