(photo by Bangkok Post)
A late penalty gave Saudi Arabia a very fortunate 1-0 victory against Thailand early this morning in Riyadh. The War Elephants were excellent throughout and were denied two clear penalties in a first-half they completely dominated.
To make it a really miserable night, Sarach was sent off after the final whistle for comments made to the referee, having been shown yellow during the game.
It is a blow for Thailand who now lose Sarachfor the match against Japan. He should know better, and to get sent off after the game is finished is just irresponsible.
Thailand should have gone in at half-time two goals up but were denied by two disappointing refereeing decisions. Firstly a Thai player was wrestled to the ground by a defender who never even looked at the ball following a left-wing corner. Absolute stonewall penalty.
Not long after, Teerasil was taken out by the keeper after he had latched on to a through ball. The referee gave a free-kick outside the area when it was well inside and though a yellow card ensued, there was a case for a red.
To make matters worse , the Saudi keeper pulled of a fantastic save from Teerasil’s point-blank header from Theerathon’s excellent left-wing cross in the second-half.
The Saudi penalty came eight minutes from time when a right-wing attack was halted by Sarach’s clumsy challenge just inside the area when there was no need to make it. The Saudi player was going nowhere.
It was a clear penalty and Thailand can have no complaints about it. Kawin had little to do all night but he was beaten by the spot-kick as he went the wrong way.
Deep into stoppage time, Thailand thought they’d rescued a point but the far-post header from a left-wing cross was correctly ruled out for offside.
It was tough on Thailand who had contained the Saudis with ease, Buriram’s Koravit being outstanding at the back. They now have to bounce back against Japan on Tuesday, without the skipper.
Other results from Group B :- Australia 2 Iraq 0 and the BIG surprise , Japan 1 United Arab Emirates 2.