* Myanmar held by 10-man Malaysia
* Thais win with last minute penalty (Adds late game)
By Patrick Johnston
SINGAPORE, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Tournament favourites Thailandsnatched a late winner over defending champions Singapore tokick off their Suzuki Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory on Sundayand former winners Malaysia were held to a goalless draw byMyanmar.
Co-hosts Singapore were left with only themselves to blameafter squandering numerous chances before Muhammad Safuwanhandled Charyl Chappuis' 88th minute cross from the right withthe Iranian referee pointing straight to the penalty spot.
Chappuis, who won the FIFA under-17 World Cup in 2009 withSwitzerland before switching to play for Thailand, stepped up tostroke home the spot-kick low to the right of Singaporeangoalkeeper Hassan Sunny to leave the home side deflated.
"Today was very difficult game, they are champions fourtimes already. We were lucky to get three points," Thaiassistant coach Klairung Treejaksang told reporters.
There was nothing fortunate about their ninth-minute goal asthe visitors caught the hosts snoozing with a quick throw onwhich led to Prakit Deeprom crossing for Mongkol Thosakrai tosmash home from close range off the underside of the bar.
However, Singapore were back level 11 minutes later whenstriker Khairul Amri pulled away from his marker to head home adeep cross by Shaiful Esah but the striker struggled thereafteras chances came and went.
Emboldened, Thailand threatened more as the game wore on andwith the introduction of talented playmaker ChanathipSongkrasin, also known as 'Messi Jay', with Sunny forced into acouple of sharp saves.
But the keeper could do nothing as Safuwan was guilty ofgiving away the penalty as Singapore slumped to an openingdefeat and fell to the bottom of Group B ahead of Wednesday'sclash with Myanmar.
The White Angels showed they would be a tricky test for thehosts by holding former winners Malaysia to a goalless draw in afixture delayed by more than hour by heavy rain andthunderstorms.
Malaysia midfielder Gary Steven Robbat was sent off for asecond bookable offence in the 34th minute as Myanmar pushed fora first win in the biennial tournament for Southeast Asia sidessince 2008.
But 2010 winners Malaysia held firm and had their ownchances to grab a first win under new coach Dollah Salleh but afifth-minute effort from forward Amri Yahyah was rightly ruledout for offside. (Editing by Ed Osmond)
- Soccer
- Sports Recreation
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/soccer-thailand-down-hosts-singapore-10-man-malaysia-held/
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