Thailand showed Brunei no mercy as they trounced the regional minnows 6-0 in the Asean Boys’ U19 Championship at Gelora 10 November Stadium in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Thailand started dictating their terms from the very start of the match and were given the lead in the seventh minute when Pakawat Taengoakson netted their first goal.
Twenty minutes later, the Thais added the second goal to their tally through Paripan Wongsa and Caelan Ryan put his name on the scoresheet on the 45-minute mark to make it 3-0.
There was more in store as the Thais got their fourth goal from Pikanet Laohawiwat in the first-half injury time.
In the second half, the Thais did ease some pressure on the gas pedal but still managed to pick up two more goals.
As Brunei struggled to check the tempo of the Thai attacks, Pitipong Wongbut found an opening in the 78th minute to widen the gap to 5-0.
Ratthaphum Phankhechon com-pleted the rout in the six-minute final added time and the Thais claimed three points from the game with ease.
Thailand will play their last preliminary group stage game against Malaysia on Thursday.
Pereira’s plan
Thailand youth team coach Emerson Pereira yesterday refused to set a target for his men, saying “we will be better off taking things on a match-by-match basis.
“For this game we had to rest some of the key players. Some of them picked up minor injuries in the match against Singapore. It’s good that we have a two-day rest.”
Thailand started the tournament with a rallying 2-1 victory over Singapore on Friday when they fought back from a one-goal deficit in the second half of the match.
Pereira is expecting a tough battle with the Malaysians.
“Malaysia are a very good team and are dangerous on both wings, but I have complete faith in players,” he said.