Lacklustre Thailand outclassed 3-0 by Saudi
Thailand’s limp display was severely punished by a clinical Saudi Arabia side, who ran out as the deserved 3-0 winners in their Group B clash at Rajamangala National stadium in the last-12 team round of the Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup on Thursday.
The home side’s hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup may be all but over after taking only one point from five games but they looked to build on the momentum from an unlikely 2-2 draw with Asian champions Australians in their last outing back in November.
Kiatisak Senamuang’s side also had added incentive to try to avenge a 1-0 loss away to the Saudis in their opening group match, the result that marked the beginning of a four-game losing streak before the share of spoils with the Socceroos.
Sporting Warrix’s all-black outfit in tribute of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej for the first time following the change of the team’s shirt supplier, the Thais, though, played cautiously in the first 20 minutes, allowing the visitors to see more of the ball.
However, the hosts’ tactics soon backfired as the Saudis managed to put themselves in front from their first real chance when Mohammed Al Sahlawi was picked out by a lovely lofted pass into the box before drilling the ball past the hapless Kawin Thamsatchanan at close range.
The Thai side looked nowhere near the strong showing they dished out in Riyadh back in September when they pushed the Saudis hard before succumbing to a late goal. The only notable chance they had in the first half was when Sirod Chatthong cut inside a defender before curling a right-foot effort wide of the far post shortly before halftime.
The hosts tried to up the tempo after the break but they still struggled to carve out any meaningful opening as the Saudis now refocused their efforts on defence. When they did break into dangerous area their final pass often let them down. The visiting side, meanwhile, looked more dangerous when they broke forward on the break.
Right back Peerapat Notechaiya, who was introduced as a second-half substitute, spurned a good chance for the Thai side when a good passing move on the edge of the Saudi box ended up with him shooting harmlessly wide.
It proved a costly miss as the visitors moments later broke down the left flank and Mansour Al Harbi sent in an inviting cross into the box that centre back Tanaboon Kesarat could only succeed in diverting it into his own net in the 84th minute.
There was still time for substitute Salman Mohammed Muwashar to put the icing on the cake with a third in the stoppage time with easy tap-in.
