Host nation Thailand confirmed their status as the favourites for this year's Tiger Cup when they scored a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Indonesia at the 700th Anniversary Stadium before a sell-out 28,765 fans.

The partisan crowd, like on opening day here in group A, were treated to some delightful football by both teams but there was simply too much muscle and authority and that spoke the tune of the Thais.

But it was Indonesia who started out well and as early as the first minute led a lightning attack through Ismed Sofyan that almost saw Gendut Christiawan finishing the move with a header.

And after 7 minutes, Thailand made its first real presence felt in the Indonesian box after a driving run by wingback Tanachai Boriban saw him faced with a one-one situation with Hendro Kartiko in goal. As the crowd rose in expectation, the player scooped his shot wide of the goal and into the terraces to the fans' disappointment.

Five minutes later, the home side had another great chance to go ahead but Dusit's free-kisk from the top of the box was well gathered the second time by Hendro.

Hendro again came to the rescue of the visitors after 13 minutes pulling off a great save from Kiatisuk after a mistake by Sugiantoro.

Indonesia's attack led by Kurniawan and Gendut Christiawan looked somewhat an odd pairing and the young Gendut often misplaced passes instead of looking up. It was left to the more experienced Italian-taught Kurniawan to carry the burden and he did look dangerous when he had possession.

However, the Indonesians slowly began to lose the midfield battle and wingbacks Thanongsak and Tanachai found spaces on the left and right to fire in crosses time and again to unsettle the Indonesian defence.

Urged on by the fans Thailand finally found the breakthrough they were looking for on 25 minutes after a horrendous schoolboy error from Suwandi Siswoyo.

Kiatisuk robbed the ball off Suwandi as the latter tried to dribble past him in the penalty box and squared for the lurking Worawoot to have the easiest chance of tapping the ball home and make it 1-nil.

After the break, it was Thailand who again made all the running whilst Indonesia sat back and tried to play on the counter. Somehow it seemed the wrong strategy to take against a side that was tearing them at the seams along the flanks.

When Worawoot added the second on 53 minutes, it was again reward for relentless pressure. The goal though looked a shade controversial, as Kiatisuk seemed to have fouled newly introduced Indonesian custodian, Komang Putra before the ball fell to Worawoot. But referee Nazri Abdullah had no doubts and the goal stood.

Three minutes later it was 3-nil. This time, there was no debate about the way it was scored as Kiatisuk pierced the Indons defence before he slammed home with aplomb.

Gendut Christiawan pulled one back in the 61st minute but that was scant consolation as the Thais added number four through midfielder Dusit Chalermsan in the 83rd minute.

At the final whistle, fireworks greeted the Thai heroes and for the second consecutive match, Kiatisuk picked up the man of the match award. Certainly just reward for an evening's hardwork.

At the post-match conference, Indonesian coach Nandar Iskandar explained that he had not expected to lose by such a wide goal margin and claimed that three of them were results of silly mistakes by his players.

He paid tribute to the Thai team and said: "They are a very good side and the players did exactly what was told of them. Now we have to work hard against Myanmar to make sure of a semi final place.

"We were hampered by some injuries early in the game and that upset our game plan."

Meanwhile Peter Withe, the Thai coach, though looking extremely happy, was modest in his words and indicated that there was still some way to go before the real celebrations.

He said: "We made some forced changes and some tactical changes today but the performance basically shows the strength of this team.

"It was not an easy game but we made it relatively easy. Indonesia are a good side but they came up against a very good Thailand team."

source: www.tigerbeer.com