Thailand slump to a 2-0 home defeat by superior Japan
Ten-man Thailand suffered back-to-back defeat after going down 2-0 at home to a dominant Japan side in their second Group B match on Tuesday in the last-12 of Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The fixture at the Rajamangala National Stadium pitted the two sides who lost their group openers last week. However, the match-up against the four-time Asian champions proved too big a step up for the Thais.
As expected, the visitors took control of the game from the outset and it came as no surprise when they made the breakthrough in the 18th minute after coming close from a corner earlier that saw home keeper Kawin Thamsatchanan brilliantly blocked the point-blank shot.
Right back Sakai Hiroki sent in a delightful cross into the box and Genki Haraguchi, one of changes Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic made go his side from the UAE loss, stooped to guide a header beyond the home goalie’s despairing dive.
The Japanese, who along with Asian champions Australia are the favourites to claim the two automatic qualification spots in the group, should have gone further ahead soon afterwards when Takuma Asano burst into the area before delivering a low cross for Keisuke Honda at the far post but the AC Milan playmaker somehow mishit the ball from point-blank range.
Having been pushed on the back foot for long periods, the hosts gradually found their footing but they were struggling to make foray outside of their own half despite vociferous support from the home crowd at the packed stadium. They failed to register a single shot on target in the opening half.
The game continued in the same vein after the break, with Kawin having to make a string of fine saves to keep his side in the game. Thai coach Kiatisak Senamuang tried to inject some life into his side’s attack by introducing Sirod Chatthong, a strong-built forward from second-tier club Ubon UMT United.
The hosts, though, had to wait until the 69th minute for their first real chance when Teerasil Dangda raced into the area but failed to beat the advancing keeper. Asano, a striker who is on loan at German side VfB Stuttgart from parent club Arsenal, then fired a low drive under Kawin to make the points safe in the 75th minute.
The Thais’ situation went from bad to worse when substitute Prakit Deeprom received marching orders for two bookable offences in the closing stages before they succumbed to a second successive defeat.
