Thursday, November 19, 2009

Thailand 0-1 Singapore


Singapore is still in the hunt for a place in the Asian Cup finals after a 1-0 win over Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium.

Aleksandar Duric's first-half header gave the Lions the priceless win.

The home side, who beat Singapore 3-1 on Saturday, dominated much of the Group E contest but Duric's 38th-minute header moved Singapore a point behind leaders Iran, who face Jordan on Saturday, and a point clear of third-placed Thailand.

Thailand began well but Singapore created the first chances as Mustafic Fahrudin was denied by goalkeeper Kittisak Rawangpa before Singapore Armed Forces striker Duric saw his effort deflected wide.

Pipat Thonkanya twice tested Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny in quick succession, but the visitors broke the deadlock as Duric headed home Mohamad Shaiful's corner while unmarked in front of the goalkeeper.

Thailand had a great chance to level on the stroke of half-time but Pipat sidefooted just beyond the far post from Datsakorn Thongalao's pass.

The home side pressed for an equaliser at the start of the second half but Singapore almost doubled their lead seven minutes after the hour mark as Mohammad Khairul fired just wide.

Teerasil Dangda flashed a powerful header narrowly wide from Sutee Suksomkit's cross as Thailand were again frustrated.

Pipat missed another excellent opportunity with just under 15 minutes remaining when another Sutee cross found the unmarked forward at the back post, but he lashed into the side netting from eight yards.

Duric relieved some of the late pressure as he volleyed wide from a good position before Singapore goalkeeper Sunny held Suchao Nutunum's shot and Thailand substitute Peter Laeng shot wide as the visitors survived.

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