BANGKOK (Thailand): Hosts Thailand were off to a great start to their AFC U23 Championship campaign after their 5-0 thrashing of Bahrain on Wednesday.
Two goals from Suphanat Mueanta provided the platform for success on a night when both the Buriram United ace and Thailand shone brightly from start to finish against a Bahrain outfit which, in truth, created few genuine opportunities.
The result leaves Akira Nishino’s charges two points clear at the summit following Iraq’s 1-1 draw with Australia earlier in the day and adds genuine momentum to their bid to reach the competition’s knockout phase for the first time in three attempts.
Roared on by passionate home support, Thailand started brightly with star striker Supachai Chaided firing narrowly wide within the first four minutes.
Thailand’s early dominance was to pay handsome dividends when they deservedly took the lead on 12 minutes, Suphanat brilliantly collecting a pass from Supachok Sarachart and finding the far corner.
As Thailand continued to press, Suphanat then rattled the bar with an effort from 10 yards before – and in the last meaningful action of an entertaining first period – Bahrain goalkeeper Ammar Mohamed pulled off a fine save to deny the livewire forward shortly after the half-hour mark.
One was to become two for Thailand shortly after the break. Supachok bamboozled defender Salem Adel Hasan before somehow squeezing the ball home from an acute angle to double his side’s advantage.
Substitute Jaroensak Wonggorn was then on hand to round off the scoring with two late goals and seal a fine victory for Thailand while further compounding Bahrain’s woes.
Thailand will resume their quest to qualify for the quarterfinals on Saturday when they face Australia while Bahrain meet Iraq.
