Sweden champs, Thailand, N Korea third
Thailand and North Korea played an entertaining 2-2 draw in the 42nd King's Cup tournament at the 700th Anniversary stadium in Chiang Mai yesterday. The draw meant that both had to be content with joint third place.
Meanwhile, Sweden won the prestigious title for the third time, but first since 2003, following a 3-0 victory over Finland.
Deprived of the services of in-form striker Teerasil Dangda, who is still in Spain on trial with Atletico Madrid, Thailand coach Winfried Schaefer bemoaned his side’s lack of sharpness in front of goal in the 3-1 loss to Finland on Wednesday.
It was no surprise to see the German make changes up front, bringing in Chatree Chimtalay to work in tandem with Theeratep “Leesaw” Winothai back in the team after missing the recent Asean Championship where Thailand had to settle with the runners-up spot.
The hosts responded and took the lead five minutes later just when they started to apply pressure on the visitors’ defence. Having seen little of the ball up until then, diminutive midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin – dubbed “Messi J” for his body size and dribbling skills, which bring to mind the Barcelona star – reached the byline before cutting it back to Adul Lahso, who was fouled from behind when he was about to fire a shot.
Theeratep stepped up confidently and sent the resultant spot kick into the bottom corner, with the keeper diving the wrong way.
If the opening half was short of excitement, the second period constantly kept the spectators on their feet with end-to-end stuff, belying the fact there was nothing more than pride riding on the fixture.
Two goals in the space of three minutes provided the catalyst for the Koreans, who first drew level with an exquisite effort from Jo Kwang, who controlled the ball with his chest before firing a first-time volley high into the roof of the net from just inside the box before the hour mark.
However, the Thais quickly went back in front when Datsakorn Thonglao scored from a clever free kick, which went under the Korean wall on its way to the back of the net.
The Koreans, though, claimed their second equaliser from first-half substitute Jong Il Kwan, who took advantage of his height to send a powerful header beyond the Thai keeper into the far corner.
Both teams had a number of chances to claim a victory late on, but the goalkeepers produced excellent stops in the dying minutes to ensure the two teams share the spoils.
