Japan eliminated, Thailand Olympic continuously sets miracles at ASIAD
A 2-0 victory over Jordan brought the Thai Olympic team into the semi-finals of the men's football event at the 17th Asian Games yesterday (September 28). At the same time, the Japanese Olympic team was eliminated by the host country, South Korea.
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| Thailand Olympic is showing remarkable progress at ASIAD. (Photo: Getty) |
Coach Kiatisuk Senamuang's team continued to make a surprise when they defeated strong opponent Jordan in the quarter-finals of the Asian Games yesterday afternoon. In the past, Thailand had faced Jordan six times but had not won any. They had only one draw and five defeats.
But at Incheon Stadium yesterday afternoon, the wind changed. Chanathip opened the scoring for Thailand in the 37th minute. Kroekrit sealed the score in the 71st minute. Jordan did not create any chances against the Southeast Asian team.
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The 2-0 victory over Jordan - the team that won Group G, from the fifth-ranked football country in Asia, 89 places higher than Thailand in the FIFA rankings, also helped Olympic Thailand maintain their clean sheet record after five matches since the beginning of the tournament. Along with the host Olympic Korea, these are the two teams that have not conceded a goal at the ASIAD. Korea is also the next opponent of Olympic Thailand in the semi-finals.
This is the third time in history that Thailand has reached the semi-finals of the Asian Games in men's football. The two previous coaches to do this were Brazilian strategist Carlos Roberto Carvalho and "English wizard" Peter Withe. In both previous semi-finals, Thailand only finished fourth. Facing Olympic host Korea, Thailand's chances are not much. But after the surprises that have happened, coach Kiatisuk's team deserves to be trusted.
In another match, defending champions Japan were eliminated by hosts South Korea after Jang Hyun-soo scored the only goal in the 88th minute. Two other West Asian teams were also eliminated: Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The semi-finals will be between Iraq and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and South Korea and Thailand.
RESULTMen's football quarter-finals of ASIAD 17 (for U23 teams)
Thailand - Jordan: 2-0
Democratic People's Republic of Korea-UAE: 1-0
Korea - Japan: 1-0
Saudi Arabia - Iraq: 0-3
According to VNA
