Thailand eliminates India

Thailand denied India a semi-final berth in the Merdeka Cup on Sunday, June 24 by chalking up a convincing 2-0 win.

Uzbekistan meanwhile posted a second victory in Group B play - building on a 1-0 win over the Thais - and snuffed the Malaysian Under-23 side, 2-0, dimming the glow of the youth squad's Cup opening win over India.

With the Uzbeks in the semifinals, the Thais and Malaysians will slug it out Tuesday to fill the other slot.

The Thais, fielding their Under-23 side in a tune-up for the Southeast Asian Games in September, read the Indian game well and came out gunning. In the 17th minute, Manit Noyvach met a cross from Narongchai Vachiraban and put the Thais on the boards.

The Indians generally struggled throughout the game but were not accurate enough to trouble the Thais's. Thai goalkeeper Umarin Yaodam saved several long-range shots and Indian marksman T.M. Vijayan was tightly marked throughout the match

Thailand lengthened the lead in the 71st minute, when Nirut received a pass from Manit, beat his marker and made a solo run to easily chip into the Indian goalmouth.

After a scoreless first half, the Uzbek's came alive and piled in goals by Andrey Vlasichev in the 62nd minute and Bakhodir Seytkamalov in the 71st minute.

Both teams had several chances to score but had trouble finishing their attacks.

The Malaysians had the first look at goal. In the 3rd minute, K. Rajan fired a powerful drive from inside the box but it sailed over the crossbar.

Finding it difficult to crack the Malaysian defense, the Uzbek's slowed down the game and tested Malaysian goalkeeper Kamarulza man Hassan with long-range shots that failed to find the net.

Malaysia had a chance to take the lead in the 29th minute, but Hairuddin Omar missed a one-on-one chance against the goalkeeper, sending his shot over the crossbar.