Thailand won the opening match of the Southeast Asian U23 Championship
Thailand beat Myanmar 3-0 in the semi-finals of the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia in May. When reunited at the U23 Southeast Asian Championship today, coach Issara Sritaro's army continued to show superior strength, and won by similar results.
Thailand has the home field advantage and the enthusiastic cheers of the fans at Rayong Stadium. They created an overwhelming position right after the opening. However, the Golden Temple team encountered the majority defense system of Myanmar. They even nearly conceded a goal by the counter attack of the away team. In the 14th minute, Khun Kyaw Zin Hein intelligently broke the offside trap, received a slot from his teammate, and then got out and finished. However, goalkeeper Thirawooth Sraunson made an excellent save when he came out quickly to narrow the opponent's shot angle and use his foot to block.
Less than a minute later, Thailand's heart skipped a beat when captain Songchai Thongcham was spared, letting Khun Kyaw Zin Hein steal the ball. But again "No. 11" finished too gently, not winning the opponent's goalkeeper.
Having the opportunity but not taking advantage, Myanmar has to pay the price. They conceded a goal in the 24th minute, when the defenders were not fiercely contested. The visitors' center-back let Chukid Wanpraphao press his face, control the ball and then release it to Phodchara Chainarong. Because Swan Htet did not come in to block, Thailand's No. 10 pushed the ball one more beat and then finished diagonally to open the score.
Nine minutes later, the gap was doubled. Captain Thet Hein Htet made a mistake and blocked the ball so that Chukid could get the ball, causing goalkeeper Pyae Phyo Thu to go into the net to pick up the ball for the second time.
Leading two goals, Thailand actively played slowly, preserving the advantage in the second half. Myanmar held the ball better, but the pieces lacked the sharpness to be able to break the opponent's defense system to reach Thirawooth's goal. Meanwhile, in defense, the away team continued to make individual mistakes. In the 87th minute, the player substituted in the second half Htoo Myat Khant let Yotsakon Burapha "twist his ribs", then used his hand to block the ball and Korean referee Choi Hyun Hai immediately blew 11 meters. It was Yotsakon who took the free kick to set the score 3-0.
Although Thailand started well with three points on the opening day, they were only second in Group A. In the opening match of the tournament, Cambodia defeated Brunei with a score of 5-0.
In the second series, Thailand met Brunei on August 19. At this tournament, Vietnam is in Group B, meeting Laos on August 20 and the Philippines on August 22, respectively.
