Thailand make winning start

Thailand make winning start

North Korea ease to victory against China

The Thai men’s football team made a promising start on Monday, recording a 2-0 win against the Maldives at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Thailand striker Adisak Kraisorn, left, in action against the Maldives.

Naruebodin Weerawatnodom opened the scoring after 50 minutes and Adisak Kraisorn finished off the Maldives five minutes from time in the Group E match.

In a one-sided match, the Maldives, who held Thailand to a scoreless draw in the 2010 Asian Games, defended well in the first half with goalkeeper Mohamed Jazlaan making several good saves.

But five minutes after the interval, Thailand went ahead when Naruebodin’s header beat Jazlaan.

Thailand kept piling the pressure on the Maldives and striker Adisak finally found the back of the net in the 85th minute after squandering numerous chances.

In the other Group E match, Indonesia hammered Timor Leste 7-0, with Ferdinand Sinaga scoring four times.

Thailand will next face Timor Leste on Thursday, one day before the opening ceremony.

Thailand have never won a medal in football at the Asian Games but this time they believe they can win gold.

They will receive bonuses in the region of 100 million baht if they defy all the odds and become champions in Incheon.

Among other results yesterday, Vietnam shocked Iran 4-1 while North Korea took China apart 3-0, as they made an immediate impression in what was their first action at the Incheon Games.

Goals from Sim Hyon-Jin, So Kyong-Jin and Ri Hyok-Chol made it an easy debut outing for the North Korean team, who are among the more than 250 athletes who have crossed the sensitive border.

Fans waving the blue and white Korean Unification Flag, and others with the North Korean colours, stood and applauded what was a straightforward group win.

A strong showing by North Korea at the quadrennial Games would be likely to please the reclusive communist state’s leader, renowned sports fan Kim Jong-Un.

The visit is sensitive and Asiad organisers have removed all national flags from Incheon’s streets, fearful that anti-Pyongyang protesters may damage North Korea’s emblem. afp/bangkok post

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