Sarawut THE HERO for Thailand

After launching their title defence in unconvincing fashion against Indonesia, the Thais turned in a slightly improved performance against the Lions, who alongside them are the tournament’s joint most successful team.

Thailand gave a patchy performance in the 4-2 victory over Indonesia, blowing a two-goal half-time lead before Teerasil Dangda’s two late strikes completed his hat-trick and helped them secure an otherwise unimpressive win. The Thais needed a dramatic intervention once again and substitute Sarawut delivered by nodding the winner as the full-time whistle approached.

National coach Kiatisak Senamuang made a surprise change to his line-up by handing forward Rungrat Phumichantuk his first competitive start. The 24-year-old, who won his first cap in a friendly against the same opponents last year, formed a three-pronged attack alongside Sirod Chatthong and in-form captain Teerasil. 

Singapore were in greater need of three points following a goalless draw with the Philippines at the weekend but it was the Thais who took the game to the Lions, who won the last of their four titles in 2012.

Despite enjoying the majority of possession in the opening exchanges, Kiatisak’s side struggled to carve out a clear scoring opportunity. With Singapore successfully cutting off supply lines for Teerasil, it was Rungrat who almost justified his inclusion with what would have been his first international goal.

The Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC forward turned his marker on the right side before striding into the box and firing in a low shot that Hassan Sunny could only turn around the post. It was the closest the Thai side came to breaching the Singapore defence in a frustrating opening half hour.

Anonymous for large parts of the first half, Teerasil, who is level with his coach Kiatisak as the country’s second-highest scorer in the tournament with 12 goals, had his first sight at goal five minutes before half-time.

The Muangthong striker rose unopposed to meet Chanathip Songkrasin’s left-side cross inside the six-yard box but sent his header agonisingly wide of the target.

The Thais’ struggle up front stemmed mainly from lack of creativity and there was little sign of improvement after the break as the final pass repeatedly let them down. It came as no surprise when Kiatisak replaced subdued Sirod with Bangkok Glass FC winger Sarawut just past the hour mark in a bid to inject pace into his team’s attack.

However, Singapore almost landed a sucker punch moments later when Juma’at Jantan was put in on goal by a splendid pass from veteran forward Khairul Amri, but he was unable to guide his effort on target under a challenge from a Thai defender.

The Thais, however, responded soon when diminutive midfielder Chanathip, who has been linked by Thai media with a move to J2 League club Consadole Sapporo, had time and space to pick his spot in the penalty area but fired straight at the keeper. 

With time ticking away, Kiatisak’s men launched a late surge in an effort to make the breakthrough. It looked to have come to no avail until Sarawut beat the Singapore keeper to head home Theerathon Bunmathan’s whipped cross in the dying minutes.