Scintillating Thailand carve out miserable Oman

Though Thailand returned home empty-handed from their Australia trip following a heart-breaking 2-1 loss to the Socceroos, Winfried Schaefer's men were showered with praises for their spirited display in Brisbane.

The Oman fixture represented a different kind of test for the Thais since the Middle East team were considered as their direct rivals along with Saudi Arabia for the remaining qualification spot, assuming that the Australians would finish at the summit of the group.

Anything less than a win against the opponents, who opened their campaign with a goalless draw against the Saudis on Friday, would deal a hammer blow to the Thai team's hopes of qualification for the final qualifying round.

Although Schaefer stated ahead of the game that Thailand would adopt an attacking approach against an Oman side coached by former Lyon manager Paul Le Guen, the German opted to field only Teerasil Dangda, who scored against Australia, as the lone striker.

Despite the German's call for the public support to help his team get their campaign off the mark, the turn out was disappointing, with just a little over half of the stadium filled. The heavy rains a few hours before the kick-off probably caused such low attendance. 

The hosts took time to find their rhythm before carving out an opening when a cross from the left side reached captain Datsakorn Thonglao, who wastefully blasted it well over the bar. Moments later, Sompong Sorlap received Teerasil's pass inside the box but fired his effort from a tight angle straight at keeper Ali Al Habsi, who plies his trade at English club Wigan.

Chances kept coming for the hosts as Teerasil then drew a foul on the edge of the penalty area but Datsakorn, renowned for his dead ball expertise, sent his freekick against the wall, drawing loud groans in the stands.

Even though his side were clearly the better team in the opening half an hour, the 61-year-old Schaefer was an animated figure on the sidelines, with the German venting out his frustration on Sompong on one occasion after the Buriram FC player spurned a promising chance on counter attack.

It was Sompong, though, who opened the scoring for the hosts, after he was sent clear towards the goal. He deftly slotted the ball past the advancing Habsi, causing the stadium to erupt in wild celebrations.

The home team's celebrations barely died down when Teerasil continued his rich vein of scoring form to put his side two goals up just four minutes from half-time. The Muang Thong United striker displayed a good balance to hold off a defender before steering his effort past the hapless goalie with the outside of his right foot.    

In the second half, it initially seemed like Thailand preferred to sit deep to protect the lead and tried to hit on the break. But, they almost extended their advantage when central defender Niweat Siriwong dispatched a low 25-yard freekick, which brought a full-stretch save from Habsi.

The home side came even closer soon afterwards when Teerasil's powerful shot from just inside the box bounced off the upright and took a ricochet off a defender before the ball went out behind, much to the dejection of the partisan crowd.     

In the 70th minute, Thailand had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Suree Sukha was brought down in the box after making a strong run from the right side. By now, the hosts had created a hatful of chances to secure a win more emphatically but they lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.

Thailand' profligacy was best illustrated on one counter attack move which saw Thai players outnumber the visitors' defence. However, Jakkaphan Kaewprom manoeuvred to deliver a pass far too long and ended up deceiving his team-mate Datsakorn.

The hosts, though, were still able to add more gloss on the victory with substitute Chatree Chimtale's headed effort.

Socrates returns to hospital

Brazil great Socrates has been readmitted to intensive care two weeks after suffering a stomach haemorrhage, the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo confirmed yesterday.

Socrates was readmitted "to treat a new stomach haemorrhage due to portal hypertension," said the hospital in a statement.

"He received treatment to control his blood pressure and is now breathing with assistance."

Local media reported yesterday that Socrates' condition was serious.

The 57-year-old had previously been taken to intensive care on August 20 after being diagnosed with serious gastrointestinal bleeding.

Socrates captained Brazil at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups and is considered a legend at Sao Paulo club Corinthians.

As well as starring for Corinthians, he also played for Botafogo, Flamengo and Santos, along with Italian side Fiorentina.