Thailand U23/SEA Games Team

[Félix]

If you were Peter Reid, how will you play?

Up to me:

-------------------KOSIN-------------------
SUREE--PRAT--KIATPRAWUT--NATTHAPHONG
-------------------NIRUT------------------
SUCHAO----------DATSAKORN---------TANA
----------SARAYOOT--TEERATEP------------

SUB:

GK: WEERA, SIVALUCK
DF: SURAT, PATIPARN, SUTTINAN, NIWEAT
MF: JAKKAPHAN, ARTHIT, NARONGCHAI, EKAPHAN
FW: RONNACHAI, ANON

How do you think? What about you?

[charade_2010]

I was impressed by Arthit , why can't he replace Tana in the left side   
Hey , do you know Nantawat Thaensopa of Krung Thai Bank  ? I think he is very good but don't know why he hasn't still appeared in Thai team   

[SriRachaShark]

Not a bad team, Felix. However, I'd suggest a couple of changes. Move Tana to the right and play Arthit on the left. I would also make a case for Phaisan to play in the middle of the defence in place of Kiatprawut. He is (in my opinion) Chonburi's best player - good in the air, a strong tackler, a good passer of the ball and has the build to compete with European players. It's a mystery to me why he doesn't get more recognition.

It will be interesting to see how Mr Reid goes about selecting his squad. Do you think that he will travel around the country watching different players or be "advised" who to pick?

[Vinnie]

As almost every team is based in or around Bangkok, he's got no excuse for not watching a match every week. And perhaps he'd like to make a donation to BEC's floodlight fund.

[SriRachaShark]

I wonder if he'll travel with the new free bus service to save himself a few bob?!!

[asiafootball]

free bus? u mean first class limousine?

[Félix]

Yes, i know Arthit is not a bad player, he has a very good left foot but i prefer Tana and Suchao. About Phaisan, i can't really tell because i don't often see him play. There are a lot of good players not starter in their team. Especially Nakarin Fuplook, a defender of BEC Tero.
2 others players i really like but are beginning to be old is Pipat and Tawan, they have good story with thai team and are very kind guy!:)

[druryfire]

I haven't seen enough of Thai football to lay any foundations for a Thai team.

I can only really go on what i'm told or read in the media (lack of media??)

But forwards Felix mentioned are my favorites along with Kosin in goal.

Also agree with Charade about the KTB striker Nantawat Thaensopa, but again, i'm only saying this because he banged in 9 goals in the Champions League, but i haven't seen him in action.

There's a few Thai players banging in goals this year, in a league that has lacked goals really, apart from BEC. The likes of Teerathep, Ronnachai, Anon and Phuwadol Sankra of TOT, so we have players who can do it locally and i'm sure they can in ASEAN Cup.

With ASEAN Cup, who many players can be selected? 22, 23??

[charade_2010]

With ASEAN Cup, who many players can be selected? 22, 23??

23 , I think so .
About Nantawat , I just watched the match of Krung Thai Bank and Peiking Guoan and I think he is a smart player , has the style like Kiatisak .  If I had more occasions to watch him , I would have my more correct conclusion .
I also miss Rungroj Sawangsri , Issawa Singtong , Sakda Joemdee . 3 played very well in SEA Games 22 but then they have been absent in Thai team .

[bon-nirnam]

Free bus, really?

That's it man, I'm coming home! 

[K.Sharkie]

I agree with SriRachaShark about Phaisan performance and wonder why doesn't he have a good chance to play even in Chonburi FC.

I really want to see something new in Asian Cup. There are many players do well in Thai leaque this year.

[Bao Tap]

Up to me:

-------------------KOSIN-------------------
SUREE--PRAT--KIATPRAWUT--NATTHAPHONG
-------------------NIRUT------------------
SUCHAO----------DATSAKORN---------TANA
----------SARAYOOT-PIPAT------------

SUB:


FW: teerasil daengda,ANON SANGSANOI

[Félix]

What do you think guys about the new select one PETER LANG?
He is playing at FC Schaffhausen (Challenge League in Switzerland) and you can see video here :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p_EFDc-g00&feature=channel_page

Is it really a good idea to have a player that we don't know much?

[doninchina]

I was in Thailand for the Kings Cup and I was impressed with the quality of the players in the team and Peter Reid has them working very hard and well organised. I feel the players have a great belief in Peter and his strategy and I feel the team will continue to improve under him.

Can anyone tell me how many of the current squad play football outside Thailand I read some players had gone to Australia to play. Could someone also tell me the names and the clubs of the (1) captain,(2) the big striker, (3) the right sided midfield player and (4) the big centre back. They all played in the Tournament in January this year in the Kings Cup

Its good for Thailand to have a coach like Peter Reid because he is high profile in the football world and well respected throughout the game both by players and coaches. He will raise the expectations of everyone concerned with Thai football and that has to be a good thing and if he stays for a few years he will make good progress in Asia. Working in football in China I feel like in Thailand there are a great ammount of technically gifted players but they need good coaching and good strategies on how to play the game well and be successful. I have seen good signs of this happening in Thailand with the National Team and long may it continue

Good Luck to the Football Association of Thailand

[SriRachaShark]

Thanks for your post, dominchina. I'll try and answer your questions.

Surat Sukha is the player who has just been transferred from Chonburi to Melbourne Victory.

Datsakorn Thonglao is the current captain but I've got a feeling that Tawan Sripan may have had the job during the King's Cup.

Teeratep Winothai (Leesaw) was the main striker used during the tournament. Or you could be referring to Teerasil Dangda.

The right sided midfielder was probably the aforementioned Surat.

The centre back would probably have been Nattaporn Panrit. He's just joined Muang Thong Utd from Chonburi and he captained the side in a recent friendly between his club and his country.

Overseas players are Datsakorn (Vietnam), Surat (Australia), Leesaw (Belgium), and the latest addition to the squad, Peter Lang (Switzerland).

I agree with you about Peter Reid. I think that he's already doing a good job and will definitely raise the overall standard if given the support. We must also recognise the work that Steve Darby is doing and the initial input from Terry Dempsey. Steve is a proven coach and very knowledgeable about football in this area. Peter & Steve certainly work well together and I know that lots of Thai fans are very happy with them and feel extremely optimistic about the national teams future.

These are exciting times to be a Thai football fan. The domestic game is enjoying a huge surge in popularity and the national team looks like it could going places.

[sydneythai]

Thailand chasing Australian for national team
26.07.09 | tribalfootball.com

Thailand assistant coach Steve Darby has revealed they're eyeing an Australian-based Thai.

Darby is working alongside former Sunderland and Manchester City boss Peter Reid with the Thailand national team and they're spreading their net wide to find new talent.

"There is one in Australia who was born just inside the Thai border with Laos. He has a Lao passport," he told the Bangkok Post.

Darby is happy to work with young players. He coached the likes of Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Marc Bosnich and Brett Emerton while they were young.

"After being the boss at several clubs, I am happy with the role in Thailand. Peter is the boss here and he is taking all the sh**!" joked Darby.

Looks like there will be another new addition. Does anyone know who this might be? I initially thought it was Kaz Patafta, as he is an Australian of Laotian-Croatian descent, but after checking, I found out he was born in Canberra, Australia.

[Critic]

Firstly, Kiatprawoot is a player which I personally regard as in thai "jai mai tueng"... He may have the physical characteristics, but... Goddd.. What kinda man plays with a heart as small as an Ant's testicle?

[jonny]

Following their return from China, the (Vietnam) U23 squad will then head to Laos in mid-October for the pre-SEA Games football tournament against hosts Laos, Thailand’s U23 and Malaysia U23.

And just prior to their departure to Laos on 28 November, the team (Vietnam)will be taking part in the VFF Cup in Hanoi on 3-7 November against Olympic China, Singapore U23 and Thailand U23.

http://www.aseanfootball.org/headlines_01.asp?id=993

[charade_2010]

There is news Thai players don't like the training way of Steve Darby so it's likely that Tawan Sripan will be named as U23 coach .

[lokomotive]

There is news Thai players don't like the training way of Steve Darby so it's likely that Tawan Sripan will be named as U23 coach .

Oh yes. Of course, Players always should be able to choose their coach, according to what they like.  : :

[Vinnie]

There is news Thai players don't like the training way of Steve Darby so it's likely that Tawan Sripan will be named as U23 coach .

If it's true, it probably means he's doing something right.

[jonny]

The exhibition games will be named the ‘4-Nations Football Tournament 2009'.

The tournament begins on October 2, with Laos taking on Thailand and Vietnam playing Malaysia . October 4 will feature Malaysia and Thailand , and Laos facing Vietnam , while the last day will pit Laos against Malaysia . Vietnam will also challenge Thailand on this day. Starting games begin at 4:30pm and the second matches will be at 7pm.

[charade_2010]

Calisto of Vietnam was very angry when hearing the rumours that Thailand will send U19 squad to this tournament .   

[jonny]

Today

Thailand U19 - Malaysia U19 2-2
Laos U23- Vietnam U19 2-2

[charade_2010]

Thank you jonny for posting this news . Other fans here seem don't know or don't like to mention about this tournament ! 

ALL FAIR ON FIRST DAY OF PRE-SEA GAMES

   
    

VIENTIANE (3 Oct 2009) – It was all square on the first day of the pre-SEA Games when all four teams - Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Veitnam - battled to two drawn matches with eight goals being scored at the new National Stadium.

Malaysia were denied a win by a late gasp from Thailand while hosts Laos, the only side to feature an Under-23 side, were could not get past Vietnam in front of their home fans.

Both games ended in 2-2 results.

Laos, who have been training since last year at Vietnam club HAGL, fought back from two-goals down before they were able to eke out the one point in front of their home fans.

Vietnam were the stronger side on the day when they carved out the lead through Ngo Hoang Thinh in the 11th minute before Ha Minh Tuan then added the second goal of the afteroon just four minutes after the restart.

But buoyed by a boisterous home support, Laos came back through Kaysone Soukhavong in the 66th minute and then Lamnao Singtao blasting in the well deserved equaliser eight minutes to the end.

In the meantime, the Malaysian side who are represented by their U19 squad under head coach Ong Kim Swee, opened account through Khairul Izuan Rosli in the 34th minute.

But the Thais, who were recently crowned AFF U19 champions, fought back when they converted a penalty in the 60th minute.

Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor restored Malaysia’s lead when he beat Thai goalkeeper Wasan Narsuan from an acute angle in the 75th minute.

However, a defensive lapse a minute from the end saw the Thais drew level to salvage a point.

Malaysia will play Vietnam tomorrow at the same venue before wrapping up their campaign against Laos on Tuesday.

[jonny]

Laos - Thailand 3-0 !!
Malaysia - Vietnam 3-1

http://www.laoseagames2009.com/v1/pre-seaxgamesxfootballxfixture.asp

[charade_2010]

My God !   

LAOS GO TOP WITH WIN OVER THAILAND

VIENTIANE (5 Oct 2009) – Hosts Laos put up a commanding performance to blast AFF Under-19 champions Thailand 3-0 as they go top of the pre-SEA Games standings.

The Laotian, who held Vietnam to a 2-2 draw on the first day of the Four Nation competition, took a 1-0 lead at the half through Sangvone Phimmasen in the 36th minute at the new National Stadium.

The prolific Lamnao Singto then added the second goal of the game in the 80th minute before Kanyala Saysomvang then wrapped things up for the home side six minutes to the end.

With the win, Laos take the lead in the group with four points from two matches - the same with Malaysia.

The Malaysians in the meantime, exacted some measure of revenge against Vietnam when they beat the latter 3-1 with striker Ahmad Shakir Mohd Ali grabbing a hat-trick.

Malaysia had conceded a defeat against the same Vietnam side last month in Ho Chi Minh City during the AFF U19 championship.

Shakir opened account for Malaysia with the first goal of the game in the 20th minute before Vietnam replied through Nguyen Dinh Bao four minutes later to put the score at 1-1 at the half.

But Shakir was just in form on the day as he blasted in two more goals in the 46th and 55th minute for the final scoreline.

Malaysia, Vietnan and Thailand fielded their U19 teams while hosts Laos are using their U23 squad in preparation for the SEA Games.

[jonny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hhaBq2jA9Q&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE1E_TVezrI

[jonny]

Thailand - Vietnam 3-1

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=98894&p=3&topicID=31374972

Laos - Malaysia 1-1

Laos win 4 nations tournament !

[charade_2010]

LAOS WIN PRE-SEA GAMES

VIENTIANE (7 Oct 2009) – Despite only managing a 1-1 draw against Malaysia in their final round robin match last night, Laos still emerged at the top of the standings at the pre-SEA Games on better goal difference.

In the match that was played at the newly unveiled National Stadium, the Laotian found the Malaysian defence had to crack in the first half.

But coming at the back of their 2-2 draw against Vietnam in their first match and then a 3-0 win over Thailand in their second game, the Laos Under-23 side duly found the lead through Paseuthsack Souliyavong 81st minute.

Three minutes later however, Malaysia made it all even when striker A. Thamil Arasu blasted in the equaliser to share the spoils.

Both teams ended the pre-SEA Games tournament on the same five points each although Laos have a slight one-goal advantage to finish on top.

In the meantime, the U19 team of Thailand got the better of their counterparts from Vietnam with a 3-1 beating in the second game of the day.

The win proved that the win Thailand scored last month over the same rival in the AFF U19 championship in Ho Chi Minh City was no fluke.

The score at the break was 3-0 with Thailand scoring off Piyarat Lajungreed in the 12th minute, Natthawut Khamrin in the 16th minute and then Sarach Yooyen in the 44th minute.

Vietnam scored their only goal of the game from Trinh Duy Long ten minutes to the end.



FINAL STANDINGS

1. Laos 5pts (+3)

2. Malaysia 5pts (+2)

3. Thailand 4pts (-1)

4. Vietnam 1pt (-2)

Thanks jonny for the information on time and the links . This is real Thailand ! They are young but played very stately and have a firm stuff .
These Thai players will attend U21 International Thanh Niên Cup in Vietnam on 9/10 .

[TPF]

I saw this squad list posted elsewhere. Can anyone confirm whether it is legitimate? If it's correct, then it's great to see a couple of young Thai Port players getting some recognition for their good form throughout the season.


Thailand u-23 squad of 30 for defence of 25th SEA Games Vientiane, Lao PDR

GOALKEEPERS:

Kawin Thammasatchanon (MuangThong United)

Todsaporn Sri-reung (Samut Songkhram FC)

Ukrit Wongmeema (MuangThong United)


DEFENDERS:


Kiatprawut Saiwaeo (Chonburi FC)

Suttinan Phuk-hom (Chonburi FC)

Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng (Chonburi FC)

Polawat Wangkahart (Bangkok Glass FC)

Piyachart Tamaphan (MuangThong United)

Arthit Duangsawang (Telephone Organization of Thailand FC)

Theeratorn Boonmatan (Provincial Electricity Authority FC)

Sujarit Jantakul (Sriracha FC)


MIDFIELDERS:


Adul Lahso (Chonburi FC)

Arthit Sunthornpit (Chonburi FC)

Phanuwat Jinta (Chonburi FC)

Kriangkhai Pimrat (Chonburi FC)

Pichit Jaiboon (BEC Tero Sasana)

Apipu Suntornpanavej (Provincial Electricity Authority FC)

Attapong Nooprom (Sriracha FC)

Kabfah Boonmatoon (Osotspa Saraburi FC)

Sumanya Purisai (Osotspa Saraburi FC)

Anawin Jujeen (Bangkok Glass FC)

Surachet Ngam-tip (Bangkok Glass FC)

Jirawat Makarom (Thai Port FC)

Alif Paoh-ji (Thai Port FC)


FORWARDS:


Teerasil Dangda (Muangthong United)

Keerati Keawsombat (Telephone Organization of Thailand FC)

Suphaphorn Phromphinit (Sriracha FC)

Sompong Soleb (Chula United)

Charin Bood-hard (Khonkaen FC)

Issarapong Lilakorn (Khonkaen FC)


Average age 20.8 year old

[charade_2010]

Average age 20.8 year old[/b][/color]

It's likely that Thailand will send U21 team to join in SEA Games 25 

[bon-nirnam]

It's likely that Thailand will send U21 team to join in SEA Games 25 

Singapore may make Thailand re-think about which team they will send to SEA Games   

[charade_2010]

It's likely that Thailand will send U21 team to join in SEA Games 25 

Singapore may make Thailand re-think about which team they will send to SEA Games  

Why Singapore     I don't know your meaning .

[TPF]

Average age 20.8 year old[/b][/color]

It's likely that Thailand will send U21 team to join in SEA Games 25 

The squad list that I posted is not an under 21 squad. Several of those players are 22 and 23 years old.

[charade_2010]

U23 Vietnam to face Thai rivals at VFF Smartdoor Cup

The U23 football squad will participate in the VFF Smartdoor Cup 2009 in early November before attending the 25th SEA Games in Laos.
The team will play against U23 Thailand, which is considered its biggest rival at the upcoming SEA Games, besides U23 China and U23 Singapore.

 

The winners will receive $25,000 with the second and the third teams earning $10,000 and $5,000 respetively.

 

The Vietnam Football Federation’s Secretary General Tran Quoc Tuan said that three guest teams had agreed to join the tournament and field their best players.

 

VFF Smartdoor Cup 2009 will take place on three days, November 5, 7 and 9 at the My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi.

 

Tickets will be available as of October 31 with four face values: 200,000, 150,000, 100,000 and 50,000 dong.

 

The U23 Vietnam’s coach Henrique Calisto is looking forward to using the event to assess the strength of Singapore and Thailand, the key rivals of Vietnam at the SEA Games 2009.

 

After being defeated by South Korea’s Chunnam Dragons for 1-2 on October 21, U23 Vietnam will today, October 23,  have a friendly match against Hoa Phat – in the Hang Day stadium, Hanoi. Two days later, it will play T&T Hanoi.

 

The schedule for VFF Smartdoor Cup 2009:

 

November 5

 

4.40pm: U23 Thailand v.s U23 China

8pm: U23 Vietnam v.s U23 Singapore

 

November 7

 

5.50pm: U23 Singapore v.s U23 Thailand

8pm: U23 China v.s U23 Vietnam

 

November 9

 

5.50pm: U23 Singapore v.s U23 China

8pm: U23 Vietnam v.s U23 Thailand

[lokomotive]

A player called Charin Boodhad was nominated for the AFF Cup squad. Does somebody have an idea for which Club he is playing? I hav not been able to find that out. I mean this guy obviously was playing for the U-18/19, the U-20/21 and now the U-23.

[TPF]

A player called Charin Boodhad was nominated for the AFF Cup squad. Does somebody have an idea for which Club he is playing? I hav not been able to find that out. I mean this guy obviously was playing for the U-18/19, the U-20/21 and now the U-23.

I'm pretty sure he plays for Khon Kaen.

[charade_2010]

VFF Smartdoor Cup 2009 will be held in Hanoi ( Vietnam ) from November 5-9/2009 .
Here are players lists of 4 teams : Thailand U23 , China U23 , Singapore U23 and the hosts Vietnam U23 .
http://www.vff.org.vn/uploads/giai%20VFF%20Cup//Danh%20sach%20VFF%20Cup%202009%20(cap%20nhat%203.11.2009).doc
As expected , Thai team will appear in Hanoi today , at 14h10 by the flight VN S30 .

[lokomotive]

Thanks Marco. You are right. His Name is written with a dash in the Wiki. Thats why I coulndt found him.

[lokomotive]

So well than I only miss a guy named Theera Thon Bunnathan or something like that. He is the only one left, I could not discover the club he is playing for.

[TPF]

So well than I only miss a guy named Theera Thon Bunnathan or something like that. He is the only one left, I could not discover the club he is playing for.

I think Theeratorn Boonmatan is a P.E.A player.

[lokomotive]

Sounds reasonable. Thanks.

[jonny]

Thailand U23 - China U23 2-2
Vietnam U23 - Singapore U23 1-0

[charade_2010]

Vietnam Cup: hosts take lead, U-23 Thailand hold China

Under-23 Vietnam beat Under-23 Singapore 1-0 in Hanoi Thursday in the first day of the Vietnam Football Federation Cup and took the lead, as U-23 Thailand drew 2-2 with U-23 China.

Striker Phan Thanh Binh scored the only goal for the hosts in the 36th minute at the My Dinh National Stadium. Midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang set him a ball in the middle of the left and central defenders of Singapore, and Binh fired with an oblique low shot.

In the earlier match, U-23 Thailand held U-23 China with a 2-2 draw.

The four teams play on a round-robin format in the friendship tournament, designed to help the U-23 teams of Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam improve fitness before they will compete in December’s 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos.

In the Vietnam Football Federation Cup, the hosts will play China and the Thais will take on the Young Lions on Saturday. In the final matchday, Nov. 9, China will play Singapore before Vietnam confront Thailand.

The winners will pocket US$25,000 while the first and second runners- up will each win US$10,000 and US$5,000.
[/b]

[jonny]

Singapore U23 - Thailand U23 1-1

[charade_2010]

Some pictures :

[charade_2010]

   TOUGH FOR BOTH GROUPS AT THE SEA GAMES

VIENTIANE (9 Nov 2009) – Whichever way it went, there are no longer easy grouping following the official draw announcement of the men’s football of the 25th SEA Games in Laos this morning.

Eight-times champions Thailand are in Group A alongside Vietnam, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Cambodia.

In Group B are hosts Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Indonesia.

Brunei have been banned by FIFA while the Philippines are not putting up either men‘s or women‘s team at this year‘s SEA Games.

Indonesian team manager Demis Djamaoeddin said that there are no longer easy draw at the SEA Games with all the teams taking part well prepared.

“Unlike in the past, there are no teams which you can consider as minnows,” said Demis from Palembang.

“All the teams taking part take the championship seriously and they prepare their teams for months. We are no different.

“For us, it makes no different being in either group. They are all tough. We can only prepare our team as well as possible. The rest will be decided on the day.”

Singapore have been building up steadily towards the SEA Games where their recent 6-0 win over their counterparts from Cambodia proved that their formula in having their team - the Young Lions - have regular competition in the S-League is paying off.

They are currently playing in the VFF-Smartdoor Championship in Hanoi where they had conceded a 1-0 loss to the Vietnam U23 side in their opening match.

The Young Lions then held the Thai U23 side to a 1-1 draw in their second match of the meet and will wrap up the competition by taking on China U23.

The Indonesians will be relying on the Uruguayan touch to carry the team through with the enlistment of Alberto Dica while for Laos, their win of the pre-SEA Games meet despite playing against U19 sides, will be an added incentive.

Add that to the expected home crowd, then Laos could just spring a surprise - or two.

Myanmar, through their recent formation of the Myanmar national league, have allowed their U23 players more playing time and with the expected four-nation tournament later this month, they will not be short of match experience.

At the very least, Myanmar will be looking at defending the silver they win two years ago in Thailand.

With the Thais again the firm favourites to defend their crown, Vietnam will be hoping that their win of the AFF Suzuki Cup last year will give them the confidence for the task ahead.

And certainly, the Vietnam U23 side seems to be oozing with confidence where this week, they picked up the VFF-Smartdoor Cup in Hanoi after beating Singapore U23 (1-0) and then China U23 (3-1).

They will play their final round robin match against Thailand U23 with the results being inconsequential to the end result.

Malaysia as always remain the dark horse with head coach K. Rajagobal saying that they will be taking it one game at a time.

“It is a tough draw, but then there’s no way we can avoid it,” added Rajagobal.

“We will look at who we will play against first and take it from there.”

Cambodia will be playing in a four-team meet in Phnom Penh this week while for Timor Leste, they are certainly capable of delivering the goods.

Timor recently qualified for the final round of the AFC U16 championships after holding China to a draw and then beating Singapore in their qualifying matches.

At the AFF Under-19 championship in Ho Chi Minh City, they played well as a unit and was just unfortunate not to make the semi-finals.

“We are improving as a whole but it is still a step by step process,” said Timor Leste president Francisco Kalbuadi.

For the women’s event, there will only be the round-robin matches with the top two playing in the final.

The teams taking part are Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.

[jonny]

Vietnam U23 - Thailand U23 0-0

Singapore U23 - China U23 0-2

[charade_2010]

Viet Nam test Thailand at Cup

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's U-23 team ended the Smartdoor Cup with a goalless draw to Thailand's U-23 team at My Dinh National Stadium yesterday, November 9.




The hosts, who won the cup after beating China 3-1 and Singapore 1-0 in their games last week for a prize money of US$25,000, had a good test against archrivals Thailand in the friendly tournament.

In a match earlier yesterday, China cruised to a 2-0 win over Singapore to rank second at the cup and receive a cash prize of $10,000.

Thailand placed third after three draws.

Yesterday's match was Viet Nam's most anticipated as Thailand will be their main opponent at the SEA Games in Laos next month.

Vietnamese midfielder Mai Tien Thanh took the first chance when he fired a shot over the head of Thai keeper Kawin Thanchanaya.

The Thais then regrouped to press Viet Nam with long, high balls that several times challenged Vietnamese goalie Bui Tan Truong.

Thailand netted the ball once, but the goal was not allowed by the referee because a Thai striker faulted Vietnamese keeper Truong.

After the break, the hosts took control of the game and blocked the Thai strikers all the way.

Coach Henrique Calisto of Viet Nam sent three key players, Pham Thanh Luong, Trinh Quang Vinh and Nguyen Trong Hoang, into the line-up to try to get a win over Thailand.

The Smartdoor Cup is a warm-up for Thailand, Singapore and Viet Nam in the SEA Games.