Thais win SEA Games football title

AFP, SINGAPORE: Thailand broke down determined Myanmar 3-0 to successfully defend their Southeast Asian (SEA) Games crown and win their 15th title overall in Singapore on Monday.
Three second-half goals earned a deserved win for Thailand, who had to persevere against inspired goalkeeper Phyo Kyaw Zin before they finally subdued their neighbours and rivals.
A pro-Myanmar crowd of 31,143, packed with foreign workers from the country and watched by armed police with dogs, created a sizzling atmosphere at the National Stadium.
Coach Choketawee Promrut said his team, who scored 24 goals and only conceded one in their run of seven wins, were the best of all the Thai teams to claim SEA Games gold.
But he said his players, who held aloft a portrait of Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej at the final whistle, would not be hitting the beers in celebration.
Thailand started confidently and moved the ball slickly but their hopes of an early lead were dashed by a combination of wayward finishing and last-ditch defending.
Nurul Sriyankem half-volleyed wide, missed a spectacular shot from distance and fired a free-kick straight at Phyo Kyaw Zin as the Thais were frustrated.
Thailand’s mini-Messi, just 1.57m (5 feet 7 inches) tall, should have scored on the stroke of half-time but his shot was also brilliantly saved by the Myanmar keeper.
After half-time, Phyo Kyaw Zin outdid himself with a one-on-one stop from Chananan Pombubpha, but Myanmar ran out of lives minutes later.
A corner from the left rebounded to the feet of defender Tanaboon Kesarat and he made no mistake with a no-nonsense, net-bulging finish.

Thais win SEA Games football title

AFP, SINGAPORE: Thailand broke down determined Myanmar 3-0 to successfully defend their Southeast Asian (SEA) Games crown and win their 15th title overall in Singapore on Monday. Three second-half goals earned a deserved win for Thailand, who had to persevere against inspired goalkeeper Phyo Kyaw Zin before they finally subdued their neighbours and rivals. A pro-Myanmar crowd of 31,143, packed with foreign workers from the country and watched by armed police with dogs, created a sizzling atmosphere at the National Stadium. Coach Choketawee Promrut said his team, who scored 24 goals and only conceded one in their run of seven wins, were the best of all the Thai teams to claim SEA Games gold. But he said his players, who held aloft a portrait of Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej at the final whistle, would not be hitting the beers in celebration. Thailand started confidently and moved the ball slickly but their hopes of an early lead were dashed by a combination of wayward finishing and last-ditch defending. Nurul Sriyankem half-volleyed wide, missed a spectacular shot from distance and fired a free-kick straight at Phyo Kyaw Zin as the Thais were frustrated. Thailands mini-Messi, just 1.57m (5 feet 7 inches) tall, should have scored on the stroke of half-time but his shot was also brilliantly saved by the Myanmar keeper. After half-time, Phyo Kyaw Zin outdid himself with a one-on-one stop from Chananan Pombubpha, but Myanmar ran out of lives minutes later. A corner from the left rebounded to the feet of defender Tanaboon Kesarat and he made no mistake with a no-nonsense, net-bulging finish.