BANGKOK (7 Nov 2012) – Thailand scored an important psychological triumph in their run-up to the AFF Suzuki Cup at the end of the month when they beat defending champions Malaysia 2-0 at the SCG Muang Thong Stadium tonight.
Both teams had to play the game with just ten men following the marching orders on Adul Lahsoh for Thailand and Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak for Malaysia.
With Thailand just fresh into their preparation for the biennial championship, the victory was important to a team which has been under pressure of late to show their quality under Winfried Schafer.
For Malaysia, the match tonight was their second stop following their 1-0 loss to Vietnam the previous day in Hanoi with coach K. Rajagobal anxious to show that the team is well prepared for the task at home.
The absence of Safiq Rahim at the centre of the park gave Thailand the advantage and in the opening first quarter of an hour, they controlled much of the action as the Malaysians sat back in defence.
Following from Somanya Purisay’s effort coming off the crossbar in the 23rd minute, Thailand went ahead three minutes later when defender Prayat Bunya headed in the corner for the well-deserved lead.
Into the second half, Malaysian did little change to their side while for the Thais; they made several substitutions to give the team more pace.
And ten minutes to the end, Arthit Sunthornthit made sure of the win for the home team with a rifling shot from 20metres out.