U.23 Thailand played 'extremely well' in the second half, won big against East Timor on the opening day: Top of the group

Despite some difficulties in the first half, U.23 Thailand still showed their mettle, defeating U.23 East Timor 6-1 in the opening match of Group A, men's football at the 33rd SEA Games on the evening of December 3.

Entering the 33rd SEA Games held at home, the goal of U.23 Thailand is nothing other than to win back the gold medal. The schedule as well as the draw results are in favor of coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul and his team when they are only in the same group with U.23 East Timor and U.23 Singapore - two opponents that are rated much lower in terms of level and international competition experience. However, in the opening match against U.23 East Timor, U.23 Thailand still took the field with a very strong squad, with the presence of outstanding young stars such as Pichitchai Sienkrathok, Thanakrit Chotmuangpak and Yotsakorn Burapha.

U.23 Thailand (white shirt) still took the field with a strong lineup even though they only had to face East Timor.

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

U.23 East Timor played tit for tat with U.23 Thailand in the first half.

It seemed that U.23 Thailand would have an easy match against U.23 East Timor but the unexpected happened. In the first 30 minutes of the match, U.23 Thailand played without cohesion, facing the determination of U.23 East Timor. The young players of the "War Elephants" only had 2 shots on target, thanks to the efforts of Pichitchai Sienkrathok and Siraphop Wandee.

On the other side of the front line, U.23 East Timor played with great determination, showing no fear of U.23 Thailand. At many times, U.23 East Timor also pushed up their formation, playing tit for tat with U.23 Thailand. Long passes to the two wings, taking advantage of the good speed of Olagar Xavier and Luis Figo became very dangerous attacks of U.23 East Timor. In the 12th minute, Olagar Xavier also made Thai fans' hearts skip a beat when he suddenly appeared in the penalty area, heading the ball into the post.

In the last 15 minutes of the first half, U.23 Thailand increased the tempo of attack. Similar to the beginning of the match, U.23 Thailand used many crosses from both wings, taking advantage of the aerial ability of strikers with good physique. After many efforts, in the 45th minute, Yotsakorn Burapha helped U.23 Thailand take a 1-0 lead with a beautiful header.

U.23 East Timor (red shirt) unexpectedly played an open game with the host team Thailand and had many dangerous situations.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Yotsakorn Burapha (number 9) put U.23 Thailand ahead after a difficult first half.

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

After a difficult first half, U.23 Thailand started the second half with a calmer style of play. Coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul's players completely controlled the game, performing many coordinated situations on both wings and in the middle. It only took Siraphop Wandee 3 minutes into the second half to raise the score to 2-0 for U.23 Thailand with a smart move and header. In the 59th minute, Iklas Sanron crossed the ball very strongly, causing the U.23 East Timor goalkeeper to make a mistake to bring the third goal for U.23 Thailand.

Leading by 3 goals, U.23 Thailand continued to attack. In the 71st and 74th minutes, Yotsakorn Burapha easily scored 2 more goals, helping U.23 Thailand lead U.23 East Timor 5-0. Not stopping there, in the 83rd minute, Kakana Khamyok scored, helping U.23 Thailand lead U.23 East Timor 6-0.

Yotsakorn Burapha is the player who scored the first hat-trick at SEA Games 33

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

However, the opening day of U.23 Thailand could not be perfect when in the extra minutes, U.23 Thailand had to endure many dangerous attacks from U.23 East Timor. In the 90+4 minute, Palamito headed the ball, scoring an honorary goal for U.23 East Timor.

Defeating U.23 East Timor 6-1, U.23 Thailand got the first 3 points at SEA Games 33. The home team rose to the top of Group A and in the second match, taking place on December 11, U.23 Thailand will meet a tough opponent, U.23 Singapore.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-thai-lan-choi-cuc-chay-o-hiep-2-thang-dam-dong-timor-ngay-ra-quan-dung-dau-bang-18525120316492198.htm