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Thailand beat Myanmar to win games soccer title

Myanmar's Yazzar Win Thein, right, is tackled by Thailand's Prat Samakrat during their game in Korat, Thailand, on Friday. PHOTO: AFP

A partisan crowd saw Thailand beat Myanmar 2-0 to take the soccer gold in Korat, securing their eighth consecutive SEA Games title.

Thailand went close in the first minute but Myanmar also had a couple of half-chances in a bright opening period.

The hosts took the lead just before the quarter-hour mark when forward Anon Sangsonoi burst through the middle and slammed his shot past Myanmar keeper Kyaw Zin Htet.

They doubled their advantage on 38 minutes when Teeratep Winothai headed home.

Myanmar, beaten 3-2 in the group stages by Thailand, continued to press but could not find a way through the Thai defense and tempers frayed following some robust challenges.

In the second half, Myanmar enjoyed periods of possession and their striker Si Thu Than was a constant threat, but they were unable to force the goal that they needed.

Thailand remained dangerous when going forward, continuing to create the better chances but failed to score a third.

"This gold medal takes all the pressure off because the whole country expected us to win," Thai coach Thongsuk Sampahangsit said.

Thailand's Wuttichai Tatong celebrates his team's victory after the SEA final between Thailand and Myanmar in Korat on Friday. PHOTO: AFP

Thongsuk, who said his second-half tactics had been to concentrate on defense and play on the counterattack, said: "I can't single out any outstanding player in this match but the senior players helped a lot."

"It was very difficult. They really wished to win this competition and they played at home and had a lot of experience," Myanmar coach Marcos Falopa said.

"My team had some U-20 and U-19 players in it but we are very proud to have participated in this competition," he said.

Earlier on Friday, Singapore secured third place in the soccer competition by thrashing Vietnam 5-0 with a hat-trick from Fazrul Nawaz.

Thailand last failed to win the SEA Games soccer title in 1991, when Indonesia won at the biennial games.
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