World NewsBahrain A Point Away From Next Stage |
Salman Isa's 67th-minute strike denied Thailand a shock victory over Group Two leaders Bahrain at the National Stadium on Saturday, virtually ending their World Cup qualification hopes.
Datsakorn Thongalo gave the visitors the lead after 65 minutes only for Isa to find the back of the net to ensure Milan Macala's side all but booked their place in the final round of qualifying as they now just need a draw from their final two games.Thailand by contrast have only one point to their name and need an unlikely combination of results to make it through as they trail second-placed Japan by six points.
Both sides also finished with 10 men as Abdulla and Teeratep Winothai were dismissed for Bahrain and Thailand respectively.
The home side nearly took an early lead as striker Ala'a Hubail got on the end of Abdulla Omar's cross but saw his effort hit the left upright.
Thailand's response was swift and they thought they had taken the lead immediately afterwards when Teeratep netted only to see his effort chalked off for a foul on keeper Sayed Mohamed Jaafar.
Chances proved hard to come by for the remainder of the first period. Hubail nodded Fatadi's centre over the bar four minutes before the break before Thai keeper Kosin Hathairattanakool kept out Ismail Abdullatif's header.
However, Bahrain suffered a setback in the 56th minute when defender Abdulla Fatadi saw red for elbowing Sarayoot Chaikamdee.
Thailand duly took the lead nine minutes later when Datsakorn unleashed a spectacular effort from 30 yards that left keeper Jaafar no chance.
Their joy was short-lived, however, as Salman Isa met Hubail's cross with a firm header that was blocked by Kosin but rebounded off Isa and into the net.
Teeratep was then sent-off in injury time after fouling Faouzi Aaish but Thailand managed to hold on for a hard-earned draw.
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Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
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