Thailand back on track in the Asian Cup after win over Bahrain

Chanathip “Messi Jay” Songkrasin helped to drag Thailand football back on track at this year’s Asian Cup. The revitalised team won a 1-0 win over Bahrain in their Group A match at the Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai last night.

The victory over Bahrain was the first positive sign after switching coaches, as the War Elephants won only their second match ever in the continental tournament being played in the United Arab Emirates.

The Thailand football association sacked Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac following Sunday’s 4-1 defeat by India. The team promptly appointed his assistant, Sirisak Yodyardthai, as an interim coach for the team.

The new coach didn’t waste any time and made five changes to the team before last night’s match. The Thai team were also were helped by some wayward finishing from Bahrain, who managed only three shots on target out of 15 attempts, all handled cleanly in the Thai goal.

Thailand grew in confidence as Bahrain failed to translate its dominance into goals, and Chanathip broke the deadlock in the 58th minute after Tristan Do’s cross was deflected into his path by Bahrain defender Ahmed Ali Juma.