India lose to Thais again in second friendly

Thailand maintained its supremacy over India, scoring a 2-1 victory in the second leg of the international football friendly at the Ambedkar stadium on Wednesday.

The Thais had earlier won the home leg in Bangkok 1-0.

After an action-packed first half, during which Thailand hit the woodwork thrice, Teerathip Winothai opened the scoring for the visitors just three minutes into the second half, before N P Pradeep restored parity for India in the 60th minute.

Keerati Keawsombai , who had an impressive outing, netted the winner four minutes later.

While India had a couple of half chances, Thailand should have been three goals up before the breather.

Mohammed Rafi was impressive and looked the only one capable of scoring for India. He had the golden chance to put the side in front, but shot wide in the 19th minute.

Thailand's first genuine chance came in 22nd minute, with Keerati's header finding the woodwork off a Dechmitr Wichaya corner.

India had a good chance three minutes later, but Steven Dias's free- kick was just wide of the post.

Defender Natthapong Samana had India goalkeeper Subrata Pal on the wrong foot, when he hit a scorcher from 40 yards. But, fortunately for India, his left-footer hit the woodwork and the team went into the breather locked goalless.

On resumption, Sunil Chettri came up with a good effort from the top of 18-yard box, but alert Thailand goalkeeper Kawin Thamasatchanan denied the Dempo striker.

Thailand's prolific striker Teerathip then handed his side the lead in the 48th minute with a solo effort.

But Pradeep put the hosts back on level terms, heading one home in the 60th minute following a cross from Chettri.

But four minutes later, Keerati scored the decisive goal as Thailand registered their second straight win over India.

Baichung Bhutia, who replaced Rafi in the 71st minute, was denied a penalty by Indian referee Pratap Singh in injury time after being brought down by a Thai defender.

The referee blew the whistle but chose to give a free-kick from just outside the box and India failed to score from the set- piece.

An enraged Bhutia virtually dragged the referee and remonstrated to the assistant referee for which he was shown the yellow card.