Brunei suffer second heavy defeat in AFC qualifiers against Thailand

|     Fadhil Yunus     |

BRUNEI Darussalam under-23 national team suffered another painful defeat for a second successive match in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-23 qualifiers as they were mauled 8-0 by Thailand at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi last night.

The youthful Wasps entered the break only one goal down to the Thais but they could not prevent the onslaught when the flurry of goals finally arrived.

The War Elephants took the lead through Supachok Sarachat in the 22^nd minute after the goalkeeper moved off his line and the Thai forward steered the ball into the empty net.

Brunei were rescued by the post six minutes before half-time with Thailand looking on top. Unlike the Vietnam game when the ball was turned in, the score-line at half-time made them believe they were still in the picture.

But the Bruneians could not hold any longer as Thailand finally ran riot with every opportunity.

Supachai Jaided finished a superb team-oriented move with a string of passes unlocking the Brunei defence four minutes into the second half.

The early goal in the second half brought the Thais more confidence as they tore their opponents to shreds.

The Brunei goalkeeper stood tall amid relentless Thai pressure as he at least delayed the inevitable with a vital hand in the 54^th minute.

Four minutes later, Thailand were unsurprisingly on the scoresheet again as Suphanat Mueanta broke free of the last defender and rounded off the goalkeeper.

Thailand added a fourth through a low drilled finish by Anon Amornlertsak before Supachai netted his brace with an icy cool header in the 67^th minute.

Supachai’s prolific form proved to be Brunei’s downfall and he completed his hat-trick in the 73^rd minute. The forward benefitted from a mistake by the Brunei goalkeeper to blast the ball into the empty net.

Brunei conceded a third penalty in as many games, and Saringkan Promsupa converted from the spot to make it 7-0.

Chotipat Poomkaew fired his shot into the post but the ball rebounded off an unfortunate Haimie anak Nyaring into goal.