Loss to Iran leaves Thais close to Asian elimination

After losing both of their opening matches in a group that also contains Kuwait and Lebanon, Thailand needed a positive result in Tehran to keep alive their slim hopes of securing a berth at next year’s finals in Australia.

Despite managing to contain the hosts for more than an hour at the Azaidi Stadium, Thai resistance was eventually broken midway through the second half when a lapse of concentration at the back left Jalal Hosseini onside and with time to calmly place the ball past the Thai keeper.

The visitors’ defence was caught napping again three minutes later when a quick throw-in sent substitute Karim Ansarifard scurrying down the left flank to send a low cross to the far post where Reza Ghoochannejhad tapped home. 

The Thais pulled a goal back with 10 minutes remaining when Narong Jansawek won possession on the edge of the Iranian box and laid it off for Teerasil Dangda, who rifled home into the top left corner, leaving goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi motionless.

But Teerasil’s goal, the first by a Thai on Iranian turf, proved nothing more than a consolation for the visitors, who succumbed to their third straight defeat ahead of the return fixture against pacesetters Iran next month.

“We came to Tehran to get at least one point, to give us something to build on for our return match in Bangkok, but things didn’t go as we expected,” said new coach Surachai, who took over the national post in August after the departure of German veteran Winfried Schaefer.

“Now we have to make the most of all our chances at home to try to get a point. But Iran are Asian powerhouses who have already qualified for the World Cup, so the return match will also be difficult for us.”