Thailand defeat Oman at Asian Cup

Substitute Pipat Thonkanya was the hero of Thailand on Thursday with his two goals nudging them towards an unexpected quarterfinal spot at the Asian Cup following a 2-0 win over Oman at Rajamangala National Stadium. Thailand took a major step towards entering the Asian Cup quarterfinals.
Pipat struck eight minutes apart to rip the heart out of the Omanis, who were a pale shadow of the team that outplayed Australia in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
The breakthrough came in the 69th minute when Teerathep ran onto a clever throughball played down the right flank and sent a precise cross to the back post where unmarked Pipat stabbed the ball home from close range.
The second goal came in the 77th minute. Teerathep did well to leap for a flick-on header into the path of Pipat, who slotted home a 12-yard shot to seal the result.
Thailand coach Chanvit Polchovin declared: “Four points means that we have a good chance now. But we cannot decide anything until the last match is completed” and he added: “It has sparked hope and regained the team's confidence”.
Oman coach Gabriel Calderon was very disappointed. He said: “I knew it will be a tough match for our team. Thailand had an extra day's rest and we had six players with cramp”.
Football Association of Thailand president, Worawi Makudi was so happy.
“It was a great victory for our team! We played very well and if our players keep up this performance then I am sure that it will be a close match against Australia”.
Thailand’s last match of the preliminary round will be against one of the favourites Australia on Monday at Rajamangala.
Oman will play against Iraq at Supachalasai stadium at the same time.

Group A
Thailand 2 1 1 0 3 1 4
Australia 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Iraq 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Oman 2 0 1 1 1 3 1

Results :

Thailand 1 Iraq 1

Oman 1 Australia 1

Thailand 2 Oman 0

Remaining matches

13/7: Iraq v Australia

16/7: Thailand v Australia, Oman v Iraq