Thais outplay TT footballers in Bangkok

TRINIDAD and Tobago footballers turned a bright start into a heartbreaking finish in Bangkok yesterday as they let in three second half goals to go down 3-2  to Thailand at the Supachalasai Stadium. In the first half, coach Bertille St Clair’s team played some of their best football but their efforts went bad as skipper Angus Eve and his men ran out of gas and were outplayed in the second half. Utility player Anthony Rougier put TT ahead with a well-taken header on the far left post from a pinpoint Arnold  Dwarika right-side cross following a well orchestrated play with Brent Rahim and Gary Glasgow involved.

The goal was an obvious lift as they pushed on to dominate against the home side playing in front some 3,000 fans who were clapping and cheering along to entertaining music from the visiting Angostura Woodbrook Playboyz Orchestra. On 30 minutes, China-based striker Gary Glasgow who teamed up well with Dwarika scored the goal of the match. Glasgow met a neat flick on header on the break by Jason Scotland and moved into the left side of the box before stopping and picking his spot, sending a right-footer into the top right corner of the box past a stranded Panuwat Tangnurat in goal. TT had numerous opportunities to extend their lead with Dwarika, Scotland and Kenwyne Jones going close on separate occasions. The defence of Keyeno Thomas, Derek King, Marlon Rojas and Jones did well to keep the Thais at bay and goalkeeper Duarance Williams also made a couple important stops to ensure TT went into the half with a 2-0 cushion.

The match was played in humid conditions and it appeared as though jet lag affected the TT outfit, allowing the Thais to take control in the second half. The hosts went on the attack in the second half and reduced the deficit in the 60th minute. After coming off the bench, Narongchai Vachiraban scored from a right-footed shot on the edge of the penalty area. Six minutes later, Sutee Suksomkij scored the equaliser after receiving the ball from Narongchai on the right flank. Thailand continued to improve as the match wore on, and created a string of opportunities before Pichitpong Choeichiu, who was substituted for Datsakorn Thonglao, managed to rifle in a superb 15-metre shot past a diving Williams.

St Clair introduced Silvio Spann, Kerry Baptiste and Scott Sealy late in the match but there was little they could do except for a low Spann free kick which forced the ‘keeper into action. Thailand also kept on pressing and were almost rewarded with a  fourth goal late on against a TT side playing without leading players Stern John, Brent Sancho, Dennis Lawrence, Marvin Andrews and Clayton Ince. St Clair remained optimistic despite the disappointing result and will hope to get back on the recovery road as the team leaves for Seoul today for another friendly, this time against the South Koreans on Wednesday. The 2002 World Cup semi-finalists defeated Bahrain 2-0 yesterday in a friendly  international.

TT team: Duarance Williams, Keyeno Thomas, Derek King, Kenwyne Jones, Marlon Rojas, Angus Eve, Jason Scotland, Gary Glasgow, Arnold Dwarika, Anthony Rougier, Brent Rahim.