Thailand wrapped up the formalities by topping the Group B with a convincing 3-0 win over Bahrain to set a semifinal date with hosts Bangladesh in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup yesterday.
The loss to the top seeded team Bahrain at the Bangabandhu National Stadium opened the gates for Singapore who earlier drew goalless with Bahrain but lost to Thailand 3-2. Singapore will now meet Malaysia in the first semifinal at Sylhet tomorrow while Thailand and Bangladesh will lock horns on Friday at Dhaka.
Thailand was the deserving winners as Bahrain playing their second match in three days looked tired. Meanwhile the three-day rest saw the Thais appear fresh, pacy, more organised and they availed the chances that fell in their way. Bahrain suffered most with their play maker MA Marhoon being marked closely by a stubborn Thai midfield and defence that consequentially killed any attacking threat Bahrain tried to create.
However, it was Bahrain who sent the first chill through the Thai defence in the 29th minute when Salman Abdullah cut a through pass to forward Ali Hazzah Mobarak whose side footed effort was pushed for a corner by Thai goalkeeper Yos Somporn.
Thailand piled up pressure and took the lead in the 35th minute through an own goal from Abdullah Ali who headed in on a Veerachart Chaowat free-kick from the near post.
Bahrain was close to score the equaliser in the 47th minute but Ali Hazza Mobarak’s free-kick was punched to safety by Somporn.
Bahrain’s all hope of staging a comeback vanquished when they conceded the second goal from a penalty in the 53rd minute. The fate of the match was sealed in the 57th minute with forward Pimkoon Jaturong nailing the third goal for Thailand. Midfielder Nimboon Narutchai’s sleek through pass set Jaturong free in the middle of the box and the nimble footed player dribbled past his marker before placing the ball from the far post.
However, Bahrain goalkeeper Mahbub Yahya, visibly the tallest figure in the field, staged excellent skills to deny any more glory for Thailand in the remaining minutes.
