The 41st King's Cup started badly for Thailand yesterday as they were well beaten 3-1 by South Korea at Rajamangala stadium.
Sompong Soleb, in yellow, fights for the ball with Kim Kee Hee (4) and Jeong Gong Ho of South Korea during their King’s Cup match yesterday. NATTHITI AMPRIWAN
The two Scandinavian sides also in the tournament, Norway and Denmark, drew 1-1 in the earlier game on the opening day.
Thailand went into the match with confidence but looked second best despite initially going on the attack.
Teerathep Winothai had the best early chance for the hosts but his effort was cleared by the South Korean defence while Jakkraphan Kaewprom's shot narrowly missed the target as it sailed over the bar.
However, following those bright moments, South Korea began to dominate and they scored the first goal after 42 minutes as Kim Dong Sub controlled the ball well before smashing home a shot from outside the area.
After the interval, Thailand again started brightly and substitute Ekaphan Inthasen, who had come on to replace Surat Sukha, instinctively played the ball through to Teerathep but his shot went over the bar.
However, Teerathep was not to be denied for long and found an equaliser in the 53rd minute when newcomer Supanya Purisai played him through on goal and he calmly slotted home.
South Korea refused to sit back though and their efforts were rewarded in the 69th minute when Seo Jung Jin was left unmarked on the box. He clinically finished to make it 2-1.
They did not have to wait too long for another goal either as Kim Hyun Sung made it 3-1 in the 80th minute and that killed off any Thai hopes of a win in their opening match
In the other match, Denmark managed a draw against Norway in a thrilling encounter.
Both sides had plenty of chances in the first half but the game remained scoreless at the break.
A Christoffersen Makienok header changed that in the 70th minute as he gave Denmark the lead but 10 minutes later, a superb long-range effort from Tarik Elyounoussi made it 1-1.
Thailand will face Norway next while Denmark will play South Korea with both games taking place on Wednesday.
STANDINGS
! P ! W ! D! L ! F ! A ! Pts!
South Korea ! 1 ! 1 ! 0 ! 0 ! 3 ! 1 ! 3!
Denmark ! 1 ! 0 ! 1 ! 0 ! 1 ! 1 ! 1!
Norway ! 1 ! 0 ! 1 ! 0 ! 1 ! 1 ! 1!
Thailand ! 1 ! 0 ! 0 ! 1 ! 1 ! 3 ! 0!