Thailand gain upper hand in first leg

SINGAPORE : Bryan Robson made an auspicious start in his first competitive match as Thailand coach last night when the national side hammered Singapore 3-1 in an Asian Cup qualifier.

A brace from Sutee Suksomkit and another from substitute Therdsak Chaiman, both of who have played in Singapore's S-League, handed the Thais one of the finest results in recent memory.

Fahrudin Mustafic scored a late consolation for the Lions at their National Stadium.

The result - Thailand's first win and also the first time they have scored in the qualifying campaign - put them top with five points from three matches in Group E.

The Thais were one point ahead of Iran who played bottom side Jordan later last night.

Singapore slipped to third on three. The top two sides from each of the five qualifying groups advance to the 2011 finals in Qatar.

Singapore must now beat Thailand at Bangkok's Rajamangala stadium on Wednesday to keep alive their hopes of making it to the finals.

Robson, who succeeded fellow former England international Peter Reid, could not have asked for a better start when Isa Halim handled a Datsakorn Thonglao shot inside the area forcing the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Sutee stepped up confidently to rifle the spot-kick into the back of the net.

It was a cool finish for a player who had recently moved to Australian champions Melbourne Victory from Singapore's Tampines Rovers.

The first half was mainly one-way traffic as Thailand created many chances but failed to turn them into another goal.

Singapore got off to a lively start in the second half but the Thai defence was rock solid with goalkeeper Sinthaweechai (formerly Kosin) Hathairattanakool in good form.

Singapore were dealt a blow when Thailand scored their second on the counter-attack with 15 minutes remaining.

Suchao Nutnum whipped in a dangerous cross from the left and Therdsak met the ball with a beautiful volley that gave Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny no chance.

Sutee put the match beyond any doubt after 80 minutes when he went clear and slotted home.

Fahrudin scored from the spot in the 84th minute after Nataporn Phanrit was adjudged to have fouled in the area.

"I was very pleased with our passing movement," Robson said.

"We started the game very well. We kept our shape very well and we had trained for that."

However, the former Manchester United captain was not happy with the way Thailand conceded the penalty.

"In the second half, we were a bit stressed but we played a very good counter-attacking game," he said.

"But I'm very disappointed that we lost concentration. This is what we must improve."

Robson warned that the wounded Lions could be more dangerous when they travel to Bangkok on Wednesday.

"We have not yet qualified and I am thinking about the match on Wednesday," he said.

Therdsak, of Singapore's Armed Forces, said it was a great victory for Thailand.

"They talked a lot before the match that they were very good," said the 36-year-old veteran who received a recall to the national team after two-year absence.

"The result proves that we are still better than Singapore."