Thailand played host to Oman in Bangkok looking to remove themselves from the group cellar. That they did, and with conviction and style to boot. Thailand never let Oman get a footing in the match. Although Oman were wandering the pitch looking lost, it was not until but ten minutes remained in the opening half that Thailand were about the sound the alarms of panic for Oman. The strike gave the home side a 1-0 lead and lots of confidence to continue their great play, which they did to find the second goal through star striker Teerasil Dangda a mere five minutes later, allowing Thailand to take a 2-0 into the second period. It was Dangda's second goal in as many qualifiers.Dangda continued to search for goal-scoring immortality but was denied by a post ten minutes into the second half. Thailand looked deserving of a goal third to polish off the final score, though certainly they did not expect to achieve the final score of 3-0 in the manner they did. A ball headed off frame on a Thailand attack connected with an unlucky Oman defender, ending the match in second-half stoppage time with an own goal.
Australia visited Dammam to take on Saudi Arabia in the day's final Asian qualifier. Saudi Arabia, the former superpower of Asia looking to regain its stature, hosted Australia, one of the current Asian superpowers along with Japan and South Korea. Aussie striker Josh Kennedy is making fans forget about Harry Kewell rather quickly with his play in qualifying thus far. Kennedy kicked the Socceroos into the lead five minutes before the break to spot the visitors a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Kennedy then finished his brace about ten minutes after the restart to stake Australia to a 2-0 lead. Kennedy leads Australia with three goals after two matches. Saudi Arabia's only goal came ten minutes later after a phantom foul was called in the Australian box, giving the home team an undeserved spot kick. Mark Schwarzer made the initial save, but the rebound was tucked home to cut the lead to 2-1. Later, the Socceroos were awarded a penalty kick a dozen minutes after facing one. The ball was slotted home, and Australia saw out the remainder of the game to deservedly win 3-1 and prove that they are having no worries about winning Group D. Australia ended the night as the only top seed in Asia to win on matchday two of the AFC Third Round.
Australia 6 pts +3
Thailand 3 pts +2
Saudi Arabia 1 pts -2
Oman 1 pts -3
Goals:
Thailand
Sompong Soleb 35
Teerasil Dangda 41
Rashid Al Farsi 90+1 OG
Australia
Joshua Kennedy 40, 56
Luke Wilshire 77 PK
Saudi Arabia
Nassir Al Shamrani 65
Match Reports:
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v81ZoQ7Ye0 (Thailand v. Oman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h7PlUDEmm4&feature=related (Australia v. Saudi Arabia)
Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM1jLX-ewJY (Thailand v. Oman)
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