Having taken the lead through Taylor Tombides early in the match, the Qantas Joeys conceded three goals within a 15 minute period either side of half-time before Conor O’Neill pegged a goal back just before the hour mark to give his team hope.

But although the Joeys worked hard late in the game and had plenty of chances, the equaliser did not eventuate and the Thai’s took the points in the end.

The Joeys got off to a perfect start in the 11th minute when a goalmouth scramble in the Thailand penalty box resulted in a Thai defender passing back to the Thai goalkeeper, Apirak Worawong, who picked the ball up and conceded an indirect free kick in the process. Following a touch, Taylor Tombides successfully drilled home from just to the left of the penalty spot.

Thailand equalised just before half-time following a break down the right wing by Jutitep Tonglim who then cut back inside and shot to the far post. Goalkeeper Jordan Thurtell got a hand to it, but not enough to keep the ball out.

Five minutes into the second half Thailand took the lead when Amnart Pamornprasert converted a penalty after Aaron Calver committed a foul in the box.

Thailand extended their lead three minutes later after the Qantas Joeys made a defensive error on the edge of their own box. The Joeys defence failed to clear a loose ball and Saran Puangbut was able to hit a first time shot from outside the box which was driven into the top right hand corner of the goal leaving Thurtell stranded.

The Joeys reduced the deficit in the 59th minute when Connor O'Neill made a run down the left wing from halfway, beat two defenders and then calmly slotted his one-on-one opportunity past the Thailand keeper on his near post to give his team a chance for a result.

The Joeys rallied hard for the remaining half-hour and had many chances but failed to equalise in the dying minutes.

Joeys coach Jan Versleijen was very disappointed with his team’s first up performance, but is confident that they are able to bounce back.

“Without having played much together before the tournament, it took us some time to get the cohesion that we needed to play well,” said Versleijen.

“Although the conditions were very difficult for the players, we created enough chances to win the game, but were unable to convert them to take the points.

“Fortunately, the tournament does not depend on a single result, so we must now regroup and make sure we win the next matches to ensure qualification to the AFC Championship.”

In the other Group G matches in Hong Kong defeated Guam 4-1 and Indonesia were also 4-1 winners over Myanmar.

The Joeys will next face Myanmar tomrrow, kick-off 6:00pm local, 9.00pm AEST.

During the AFC U16 Championship Qualifiers, each group will play one round league and the top two teams from each group will progress to the AFC U16 Championship 2012.

Additionally, the third best teams from each West and East zones will complete the 16-team line up of the 2012 finals.

The AFC U16 Championship will serve as the qualifying event for the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup which will be held in the United Arab Emirates in October/November.

Match Details

Thailand           3 (TONGLIM 44’, PAMORNPRASERT 50’ (pen), PUANGBUT 53’)
Qantas Joeys   2 (TOMBIDES 11’, O'NEILL 59’)

Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
Monday 12 September 2011
Referee:   Iida JUMPEI (JAPAN)
Assistant Referees:   Barabash IGOR (TURKMENISTAN) & Surindranath S/O KASEENATHAN (SINGAPORE)
Fourth Official: Sukhbir SINGH (SINGAPORE)
Crowd: 1,200

Thailand line up: 1.Apirak WORAWONG (gk), 4.Rachen SOBUNMA, 7.Saran PUANGBUT, 11.Sittichok KANNOO, 21.Suchanon MALISON (35.Chavarit BUNTEE 79’), 22.Amnart PAMORNPRASERT, 23.Jutitep TONGLIM, 28.Supravee MIPRATHANG, 29.Jeerawut KULCHART, 33.Atthawit SUKCHUAI, 45.Kunawut MAPERM,

Substitutes not used: 6.Vittavut NETKHAM, 9.Sorravid SUKBANTHOENG, 10.Saharat UNSAPCHAROEN, 13.Suradet KLANKHAM, 14.Gidtiphong SIRISAENG, 17.Supat WONGWAINET, 32.Sethawut LIMJANON (gk), 37.Narubed CHANPRASIT, 39.Wasin TIAMMUANG, 42.Panya RONGNUAN, 50.Seksan SOMNUEK

Yellow Cards: Amnart PAMORNPRASERT 5’, Apirak WORAWONG 22’, Kunawut MAPERM 88’/90+3’
Red Cards: KUNAWUT MAPERM 90+3’

Qantas Joeys line up: 1.Jordan THURTELL (gk), 2.Mark OCHIENG, 3.Aaron  CALVER, 4.Benjamin WARLAND, 5.Darcy MADDEN, 7.Daniel De SILVA, 8.Kevin LY, 10.Hyuga TANNER (19.Lukas STERGIOU 90+3’), 11.Taylor TOMBIDES, 17.Joshua MACDONALD (21.Conor O'NEILL 46’), 20.Stephen O'NEILL(29.Todd NORRIS 74’)

Substitutes not used: 6.Jordan BROWN, 12.Andre JANNESE (gk), 13.Reece PAPADIMITRIOS, 14.Brendan GONANO, 18.Thomas MANOS, 22.Zackary NICOLIS, 24.James BALDACCHINO, 25.Ross MILLARD, 42.Billy HATZINIKOLIS

Yellow Cards: Aaron CALVER 49’, Mark OCHIENG 61’.
Red Cards:  Nil