AFC Women's Asian Cup
Thailand next face Iraq on Sunday while Timor-Leste will aim to bounce back when they take on India.
Timor-Leste, who held Iraq to a goalless draw in their opening game, came under pressure as early as the second minute with goalkeeper Gorette Da Costa denying Pattaranan Aupachai’s volley from inside the box.
Saowalak, however, broke the deadlock three minutes later when she initiated the move with a clever through ball to Wirunya Kwenkasikum, who squared it for Pattaranan.
Pattaranan’s shot was blocked but the rebound fell kindly for Saowalak to convert from close range.
Da Costa continued to be a thorn in Thailand’s side but the Timor-Leste custodian could not deny Thailand from scoring their second in the 31st minute with Saowalak using her speed to dribble past her marker before firing a low shot into the bottom right corner.
A costly mistake by Da Costa a minute before the break further widened Thailand’s advantage with Saowalak completing her hat-trick after pouncing on an errant pass from inside the box.
Futoshi Ikeda’s side continued their attacking approach and were unlucky not to add to their tally when Karnjanathat Phomsri was denied by Da Costa two minutes into the restart following a fast break, with Deonizia Natalina steering Karnjanathat’s second attempt out for a corner.
Timor-Leste continued to live dangerously with Thailand’s Kanjanaporn Saenkhun missing her headed attempt from close range three minutes later before Da Costa pulled off a fine save to deny Karnjanathat from distance.
Substitute Ploychompoo Somnuek, however, added the fourth the second minute of time added on by turning in Natcha Kaewanta’s pass from inside the area.
Related News
Item 1 of 5