Futsalroos go down in final

The Futsalroos have gone down 2-1 to hosts Thailand in the final of the AFF Futsal Championship 2013.

The Futsalroos have gone down 2-1 to hosts Thailand in the final of the AFF Futsal Championship 2013. A brace from Suphawut Thueanklang leading Thailand to their ninth ASEAN crown in the Miracle of Life tournament at Bangkok-s Thonburi University Stadium.

With the tournament this year being used as a qualifying round for the AFC Futsal Championship next year, Thailand-s victory proved that they will still be the team to beat at the SEA Games this December.

“Of course everyone have their eyes on the SEA Games and we are no different but we showed that we are still dominant in the region,” said Victor Hermans, the chief coach of Thailand after the win.

“For the SEA Games, I think that we can go to Myanmar with just ten players from this current squad here plus several others who did not come for this meet.”

Backed by a crowd beyond the 6,000 capacity of the stadium, the Thais started strongly as they controlled possession and pushed Australia back into their own half.

Relying more on catching the Thais on the break, the Australians were content to sit back and absorb their opposition's pressure. However in the 13th minute against the run of play, Suphawut rounded Australian keeper Peter Spathis before scoring to give the Thais the lead.

Thailand kept up their intensity in the second half as Kritsada Wongkaeo hit the upright and then the crossbar twice before the home team finally carved the second goal of the game.

In the 26th minute with Australian keeper Angelo Konstantinou out of position, Suphawut slammed the ball home from the midfield to double Thailand-s advantage.

The Futsalroos pulled a goal back late through Jarrod Basger, to ensure a tense finish to the final but it proved a consolation as Thailand hung on to claim their ninth ASEAN crown.