Sports Notes - SINGAPORE Rocks ThaIland's Boat to WIn ASEAN CUP- February 2007

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Singapore Is Thailand's PROBLEM TOO MUCH Take ASEAN Championship Title - Peter Withe Out - ASIAN CUP schedule in Bangkok

Sunday February 4, 2007

SINGAPORE WIN ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Singapore proved to be a problem too much for Thailand's national team in winning the ASEAN Cup title when they finished in a 1-1 tie and 3-2 on aggregate at Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand tonight.

It is the second straight ASEAN Championship title for Serbian coach Radojko Avramovic's side. It's also the third title for Singapore having won in 2004 and 1998.

The three titles share a record with Thailand who won in 1996, 2000 and 2002. They are the only two teams to win the event since it began in 1996 then known as the Tiger Cup.

The game was hard fought and finished without incedent. Extra security was put in place to insure there was no backlash from a controversial call by a Malaysian official in the first leg in Singapore.

A Singapore player was said to be pulled down by a Thai defender that resulted in a free kick. The Thai side was furious and left the pitch in protest that caused a 15 minute delay.

When play resumed the free kick was made and as it turns out was the deciding point of the 2-1 first leg result and the 3-2 aggregate.

The event formerly known as the Tiger Cup is now known as the ASEAN Football Championship after Tiger Beer pulled out as being the sponsor following the 2004 event.

The Thai side may be looking for a coach as Chanvit Phalajivin may be leaving to coach a Vietnam club. Thai manager Thavatchai Sajakul aka 'The Big Hoy' said after the game he wasn't sure what was going to happen. He pointed out that he didn't know how much money Chanvit was offered and that factored into a Thai decision if they could afford him or not.

That brings back an old tune when money was one of the reasons that factored into Thailand's letting Peter Withe go in 2003. The other problem with Withe was they didn't like they way he dressed.

The problem with that logic is that all of the coaches that followed Withe didn't wear a tuxedo on the pitch so…. Go figure.

After Indonesia failed to make the ASEAN Championship finals by losing out on total goals Withe was let go by Indonesia's football federation. The Irony is that Withe coached that last two Thai teams that won the ASEAN Championship in 2000 and 2002.

During that time Thailand was ranked in the mid fifties on the FIFA World rankings when the played Manchester United.

In dismissing Withe the FAT (Football Association of Thailand) claimed that the move was to IMPROVE the team. The improvement resulted in Thailand falling almost 80 positions in the FIFA World rankings to the 137th position.

At present Sajakul said that the Thai team would prepare for the Asian Cup that will take place this summer.

Thailand is in Group A which includes, Iraq, Oman and Australia. Three games will be played in Bangkok.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!

Thailand's Kiatisak Senamuang would be a perfect coach for Thailand IN THE FUTURE. He is an inspirational leader and is respected by the players.

Senamuang has good communication skills and plenty of experience in playing the big boys after games against several EPL teams including Arsenal and Man U as well as Brazil.

DID YOU KNOW???

This past year Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl was in need of a donor to supply a kidney for a kidney transplant. The offers that came weren't a match.

ASIAN CUP SCHEDULE

GROUP A BANGKOK THAILAND

07 JUL. 19:35 TST. THAILAND VS IRAQ

12 JUL. 19:30 TST. THAILAND VS OMAN

16 JUL. 19.35 TST. THAILAND VS AUSTRALIA

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