SINGAPORE: Thailand’s “Messi Jay” put the seal on a thumping 5-0 win over Indonesia as the defending champions stormed into the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games final against Myanmar on Saturday.
Chanathip Songkrasin, glowingly compared to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, scored in the last minute to round off an emphatic semifinal victory in Singapore.
The scale and manner of the win will install Thailand as raging favorites for Monday’s final against dark horses Myanmar, who rode their luck in a 2-1 upset of Vietnam.
It also gives Indonesia a chastening send-off into the international wilderness after they were suspended by world body FIFA over political interference.
Thailand attacked fluently from the outset and it was no surprise when Rungrat Phumichantuk, pouncing on a rebound, put them in front on 13 minutes.
Thitiphan Puangjan nodded Thailand’s second in the 29th minute before Rungrat got his second thanks to Nurul Sriyankem’s perfect cross six minutes after half-time.
Narubadin Weerawatnodom produced a tight finish on 57 minutes to make it four before “Messi Jay” Chanathip, who had hit the post, grabbed the fifth.
“We are not Barcelona — we get gold first and then we talk,” said Thai coach Promrut Choketawee.
Earlier fortune smiled on Myanmar as they shocked a vibrant Vietnam side 2-1, helped by a penalty and a wickedly deflected winner.
Myanmar’s youngest player, 18-year-old Si Thu Aung, converted a penalty on 39 minutes after Vietnam’s Ho Ngoc Thang inadvertently blocked a free-kick with his elbow.
Vietnam responded with all-out attack as they dominated the match but they were thwarted by Myanmar’s inspired goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Phyo and their own wayward finishing.
The Vietnamese finally equalized in the 72nd minute through midfielder Vo Huy Toan with an easy tap-in to an empty net.
But Myanmar snatched victory when Lin Nay Tun’s shot looped off a defender and into the net on 80 minutes.
The win was a surprise even to Myanmar’s coach Kyi Lwin, after free-flowing Vietnam failed to convert their chances in wave after wave of attack.
“I feel very surprised about the result and I would like to thank all our players,” said the coach, a silver-medallist from Myanmar’s only previous final appearance in 1993.
SEA Games: Five-star Thais set up Myanmar football final
SEA Games: Five-star Thais set up Myanmar football final
Al-Hilal complete second-half comeback against ten-man Al-Nassr to extend SPL lead
- Simone Inzaghi’s side move onto 38 points after a 3-1 victory, seven clear of Al-Nassr
- Al-Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi was sent off in the 60th minute for violent conduct
RIYADH: It was an evening of football drama in Riyadh as the much-anticipated Capital Derby between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr took place at the Kingdom Arena in the headline fixture of Matchday 15. With Al-Nassr four points behind the league leaders prior to the game, victory was essential for Jorge Jesus’ side as they remain in search for their first Saudi Pro League title in seven years.
The game kicked off at a slow place. Inzaghi, setting up his Al-Hilal side in a 5-4-1 defensive shape, tried to draw Al-Nassr deep into their half to exploit them on the counter. With Rúben Neves playing in the middle of a back three, his long passes proved key for the Blues as they targeted the space behind Al-Nassr’s defence.
Al-Nassr did not respond as expected. Jesus’ side have played at a blistering pace this season, characterised by a relentless high press, but this encounter saw Al-Nassr adopt a more cautious approach. Instead, they relied on moments of individual brilliance to break past the compact Al-Hilal structure.
Kingsley Coman was central to that strategy, as his movement between the channels saw the visitors’ most dangerous momment in the 19th minute. Mohammed Al-Rubaie, who had a shaky start in goal, managed to tip the ball wide for a corner.
Neither side appeared willing to overcommit, with the play concentrated in midfield. It was there that João Félix, spotting Coman on the shoulder of his defender, lofted a pass from deep to release the Frenchman, who laid it off to Cristiano Ronaldo for the opener.
Jesus’ first-half paid off, with the goal on the cusp of half-time giving Al-Nassr a vital boost heading into the break. They managed to keep the pressure on early in the second half, but the tide changed within minutes.
Malcom, attempting to cut inside for a shot, was brought down by Mohamed Simakan for a penalty in the 56th minute. Salem Al-Dawsari slotted it with confidence to bring the hosts back into the game, but the defining moment followed shortly after.
As Al-Hilal attempted to retrieve the ball from the net, Al-Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi intervened. In the ensuing scramble, he struck Neves in an incident deemed violent conduct by the referee as he was given his marching orders in the 60th minute.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Al-Nassr did not retreat. However, with Angelo sacrificed for replacement goalkeeper Mubarak Al-Buainain, their attacking threat diminished, making clear chances increasingly difficult to come by.
This opened the door for Al-Hilal’s return into the game, and in the 81st minute, a pinpoint cross by Neves from the left flank found Mohammed Kanno who finished to give the hosts the lead.
Ronaldo was substituted soon after, as Jesus sought fresh impetus through youngster Wesley, but the change failed to alter the course of the match. Al-Hilal were once again awarded a penalty after Al-Dawsari was brought down in stoppage time, before Neves stepped up to convert his penalty for Al-Hilal’s third of the night.
Al-Nassr, who began the season with ten consecutive wins, have now gone four games without a victory — three of them defeats. Their tally freezes at 31 points, as Al-Hilal move clear at the summit onto 38.
Elsewhere in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Hazem moved further clear of the relegation zone after a stunning comeback against Al-Najma. The latter, who were minutes away from their first win of the season, conceded two goals in the sixth and eighth minute of stoppage time to succumb to a 3-2 defeat. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq welcomed Al-Khaleej in the Eastern Province, losing 2-1 after a Jack Hendry own goal in the 86th minute gifted the visitors the win.
Action returns on Tuesday, with Al-Okhdood facing Al-Kholood at 6:25pm, followed by Al-Fateh against Al-Riyadh and Damac against Al-Ittihad, both kicking off at 8:30pm.
