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Other Football

Kelvin Leong rates the players in the Asian Cup Group E game between Singapore and Thailand.

Two of South-East Asia's biggest teams took to the pitch at Kallang National Stadium and as expected, fireworks ensued in a wonderful display of international football.

Singapore

Hassan Sunny - 8

The Lions custodian was the reason Singapore were only one goal down at half-time. Made some brilliant saves to keep his side in the game.

Noh Rahman - 6

Noh Rahman's main job was to shackle Sutee Suksomkit and he showed some neat play throughout the game but on occassions, he was caught out by the pacy Thai winger.

Baihakki Khaizan - 5

Was lucky to be on the pitch after his lunge on Datsakorn Thonglao early in the first-half. Did not keep his composure which was needed in a game as big as this one.

Daniel Bennett - 7.5

The SAFFC defender valiantly tried to deny the swift Thai attacks and nothing much got past him. His performance deserved a better result.

Shaiful Esah - 6.5

Esah has been in the media spotlight all week since his wonderful showing against Indonesia last Wednesday. Was never given a chance to show his attacking qualities with Shahril Ishak constantly drifting into the middle.

Shahril Ishak - 4

Poor performance from Shahril who started as a left winger only to be found wanting when he decided to drift into the middle. Poor outing.

Mustafic Fahrudin - 5.5

Scored Singapore's only goal from the spot but was quite the same player the fans have grown accustomed to. Allowed Datsakorn and Therdsak Chaiman to dictate the pace of the game.

John Wilkinson - 5.5

Just like Mustafic, Wilkinson struggled to come to terms with Thailand's speedy midfielders.

Muhammad Ridhuan - 5

Started with some good runs down the right flank but disappeared as the game wore on. In all fairness, he was pegged back to help Noh Rahman contain Sutee.

Noh Alam Shah - 3

So much was expected of the Arema Malang striker but he let his emotions get the better of him. His aggression which is a huge part of his game was taken away from him when he received a yellow card in the 12th minute for a hand-ball that led to the Thai's opening goal.

Aleksandar Duric - 6

He huffed and puffed on his own for the entire game. Needs more support from his teammates.

Thailand

Kosin Hathairattanakool - 4

Had nothing to do for most of the game but when he had his chance to be in the limelight, he foolishly tried to stop Mustafic from taking the penalty-kick. Better gamesmanship perhaps?

Suree Sukha - 6.5

His overlapping runs caused Singapore problems all night. Showed that he can be as good a defender as he does on the offence.Natthaphong Samana

Nattaporn Phanrit - 7

Not east to contain Duric for the full 90 minutes but Nattaporn did just that.

Panupong Wongsa - 7

Just like Nattaporn, Panupong was a picture of calm as he went about keeping Alam Shah and Duric quiet at the Kallang National Stadium.

Datsakorn Thonglao - 7.5

What more can you say about this man? Had a handful of shots that troubled Sunny in goal and won the midfield battle against Mustafic and Wilkinson.

Suchao Nutnum - 8.5

Suchao was instrumental in the Thai's first two goals and he covered every blade of grass down the right wing without ever looking short of breath. Great outing for the pacy right winger.

Sutee Suksomkit - 9

Sutee has one of the best left-foot in South-East Asia at the moment. Against the Lions, Sutee showed his class with a well-taken penalty and a great piece of finishing for Thailand's third goal. Simply the best.

Surat Sukha - 6

Good effort containing the likes of Wilkinson and Mustafic quiet. Had to go off through injury in the second-half.

Pipat Thonkanya - 6.5

Not that big an impact as compared to Teerasil but still managed to put in a good shift for the visiting Thais.

Teerasil Dangda - 7

Teerasil did not add to his international goal tally but his off-the-ball movement and intelligent runs kept Baihakki and Bennett on their toes all night.