Robson off to winning start with Thailand in Phuket
Former England captain Bryan Robson made a victorious start to his spell as Thailand manager courtesy a 2-0 win over Burmese side Yadanarbon FC in the Red Bull Phuket Kata Group Cup at a drenched Surakul Stadium in Phuket City, Thailand last night.
Two headed goals after the break were enough to seal a comfortable victory and a place in tomorrow’s final.
Earlier in the day a heavy thunderstorm had settled over Surakul. The rain that fell caused the pitch to deteriorate rapidly, making slick attacking football almost impossible.
All of Thailand’s overseas players weer missing from the starting XI and the inexperience of Robson’s experimental side showed as they made a nervy start.
Yadanarbon sensing their opponents’ jitters made an impressive start and should have scored within a couple of minutes.
Three successive corners put Robson’s side under intense pressure. The third corner found a Yadanarbon player unmarked in the six-yard, but he put his header wide with the goal at his mercy.
Once Robson’s side relaxed they played some slick football, despite the pitch looking like a ploughed field.
Thailand’s best chance came following an attack down the Burmese side’s left when the ball was crossed into the box and was met by an unmarked Thai in the box.
After controlling the ball 10 yards out, the striker hesitated long enough for the keeper to block his shot with his body.
Robson’s side finished the half in the ascendancy and continued to pressure Yadanarbon after the restart.
Thailand’s attacking play was rewarded when number 20 ‘Mai’ rose at the back post to place a header into the net from a corner on the left.
Robson’s side began to dominate possession, but they were almost made to pay for their poor finishing when Yadanabon missed a great chance to equalize following a lightening counter attack.
With time slowly running out, Robson’s side grabbed a decisive second goal when ‘Em’ capped an impressive performance, meeting a cross from the right with a header to the goalkeeper’s right.
The Thailand XI move onto to tomorrow’s final against Hoang Anh Gia Lai, while Yadanabon will face Muang Thong United in the third/fourth place match.
Speaking after the match, Robson said he was delighted at how his side had played.
“I thought there were some good performances from some of the younger boys, especially the goal scorers Em and Mai,” he said.
“Attacking wise, we played some good one-twos, some great diagonal balls and created some good chances on top of the two goals we scored. That was very pleasing.”