Suzuki Cup: Thais ride Teerasil hattrick to beat Indonesia

Teerasil (L) of Thailand heads the ball with Basna of Indonesia during their Suzuki Cup final round match at the Philippine arena in Bocaue, Bulacan province, north of Manila on November 19, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE

BOCAUE, Bulacan – Thailand opened its quest for a record fifth AFF Suzuki Cup title with an impressive 4-2 win of Indonesia Saturday at Philippine Sports Stadium here.

Showing why he’s considered Southeast Asia’s best striker, Teerasil Dangda fired a hattrick as the Thais got their title-retention bid off on a winning note under the rain.

Peerapat Notechaiya opened the scoring in the 4th minute with a low effort to the bottom corner, before Teerasil grabbed the first of his three goals in the 36th minute to give the Thais a 2-0 lead at the
break.

But Indonesia, playing its first competitive tournament since a Fifa-imposed ban from international football, fought back with two quick fire goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Skipper Boas Salossa headed home a cross from Rizky Pora to give the Garuda a lifeline, before Lerby Babu equalized with another in the 56th minute.

But just when it looked like the Thais were about to drop points, a moment of brilliance Teerasil restored order for the War Elephants with a sublime strike from the edge of the area in the 79th minute.

Teed up by Sarach Yooyen, Teerasil’s controlled strike to the bottom corner left goalkeeper Miega Hermansyah with no chance.

The Indonesians had another chance to salvage a draw in stoppage time, but Salossa’s effort was stopped by Kawin Thamsatchanan. Moments later, Yooyen set up Teerasil for a tap-in to complete the hattrick. With reports from Randolph B. Leongson