Hanoi: Seven-time winners and reigning champions Thailand, aiming to win an unprecedented third title in a row, began their ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 campaign with a 10-0 Group A win over Timor-Leste at Hang Day Stadium on Sunday.
A dominant and devastating display saw the War Elephants hold a 4-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from Benjamin Davis, who got his side up and running with just three minutes on the clock, Patrik Gustavsson, Suphanat Mueanta, and another from Davis.
The second half picked up where the first left off and it didn’t take Thailand long to add to their tally. Suphanat Mueanta made it 5-0, Seksan Ratree with a brace made it six and seven before Teerasak Poiephimai made it eight. Two more goals were added in second-half stoppage time through Teerasak and Nicholas Mickelson.
Timor-Leste were prepared to maintain their shape in the opening exchanges, trying to make it difficult for Thailand to break through. But it didn’t take Thailand too long to find a way through, or around as proved to be the case for the opening goal just three minutes in.
After Thailand had worked the ball from right to left, William Weidersjo received possession centrally, played in a lovely clipped ball in towards striker Gustavsson, the number nine then brought the ball down onto his chest, aiming to turn and shoot. Timor-Leste defender Joao Panji got a touch but inadvertently sent the ball into the path of Davis who’d made a run into the box. A neat finish into the bottom corner had the reigning champions off to the perfect start in Hanoi.
Undeterred, Timor-Leste almost levelled on the counter just a couple of minutes later. Kenny Ximenes broke free down the right-hand side and made a beeline for the box. A powerfully hit shot forced the goalkeeper into a save low down to his right.
Thailand doubled their lead on 16 minutes, finding success through winning the ball back high up the pitch. Gustavsson got the goal, converting from close range with a first-time effort. Weidersjo did well to keep the ball in before pulling it back to Gustavsson on the edge of the six yard box who made no mistake.
Once Thailand found the second goal there was no looking back. An error by the goalkeeper on 28 minutes allowed Thailand to make it 3-0. A high and looping cross from the right-hand side was spilled by Junildo Pereira, Suphanat pounced on the loose ball and sent it into the far corner. Not even 30 minutes played and Thailand were three goals to the good.
But not for long as on 31 minutes it was 4-0 - Davis notched his second of the evening. Gustavsson found space towards the byline, sent in a cross to the back post where Suphanat was on hand to cushion the ball into the path of Davis who converted first time.
On 35 minutes, Timor-Leste skipper Joao Pedro broke free down the left, after latching onto an excellent through-ball, and sent a venomous strike toward goal but his left-footed effort was just over. Thailand goalkeeper Korrakot Pipatnadda had barely had anything to do in the first half.
It wasn’t a perfect first half for Thailand, though, as Davis was forced to go off injured after landing awkwardly in the opposition box. Davis, who’d opened the scoring for Thailand and added their fourth, was stretchered off. Seksan came on in his place.
On 48 minutes, Timor-Leste had their first real look at goal. Claudio Osorio picked up a loose ball to the left of the 18-yard box, cut inside, jinked one way then the other before dispatching a right-footed shot but his effort was met by the head of Pansa Hemviboon who was able to steer the ball away to safety.
On 53 minutes, Thailand added their fifth goal of the evening with a move that was started and ended by Suphanat. The 22-year-old latched onto a headed clearance by Anizo Correia - who’d been given a difficult pass to deal with by Santiago Da Costa - before playing in substitute Seksan who did well to wriggle away from his man in the box and supply Suphanat who calmly slotted the ball into the net.
Even at 5-0, Thailand were not taking their foot off the gas. Goal number six came on 55 minutes, albeit with a touch of fortune. Some good passing play down the left-hand side led to a floated ball over the top for Gustavsson to chase, beating the offside trap. A ball into Seksan followed, who then worked his way past the oncoming defender before looking for the bottom corner. His shot took a deflection off Correia before finding its way in.
With an hour played, Timor-Leste head coach Elissetche decided to change his goalkeeper. Junildo went off and Georgino Mendonça came on. It had been an evening to forget for the Assalam FC stopper.
But it didn’t take long before he too was left to pick the ball out of the Timor-Leste net. Thailand were in seventh heaven, still with only 61 minutes played and it was another goal from substitute Seksan, this time a header at the back post after a James Beresford rose above all to nod the ball into the centre. Timor-Leste could not deal with header across and Seksan was unmarked.
On 77 minutes, it was very nearly 8-0 with Suphanat hitting the side netting. Just two minutes, later, though and it was 8-0. As precise of a through ball as is possible from Weerathep Pomphun released Suphanat, whose cut back found substitute Teerasak who was on hand for a tap-in.
Still, Thailand pushed for more goals and a ninth came in the 91st minute, another for Teerasak, who was unmarked in the box and allowed to convert.
Goal number 10 came in the 93rd minute when Suphanat’s shot was spilled by the goalkeeper, but Mickelson followed up for a tap-in. After 95 minutes played, the referee brought the match to a close.
Thailand will next face Malaysia in Bangkok in six days' time before which Timor-Leste travel to Kuala Lumpur to take on the Malaysians on Wednesday.
Share now
