The ongoing 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup notches a record as Thailand’s legendary striker Teerasil Dangda etches his name as the tournament’s all-time high scorer as he netted two goals that secured the Changsuek a place in the semifinals.
The mighty Thailand thumped the Philippines 2-1 in a Group A match at the Kallang National Stadium on Tuesday. Patrick Reichelt scored a consolation for the Azkals.
The two goals elevated his name over former Singapore stalwart Noh Alam Shah, who topped the goalscoring chart with an overall 17 goals. Teerasil’s 19-goal tally spans over seven editions since 2008.
He was called to Thailand’s senior squad in 2007 has made 107 appearances and has scored 49 goals across all competitions, with four goals alone in 2021.
He also emerged as joint top goalscorer in the 2008 edition with four goals, sharing with Singapore’s Agu Casmir and Indonesia’s Budi Sudarsono. He netted five goals for the 2012 edition and six in the 2016 run.
The Bangkok-born attacker still has it as the Changsuek’s coach named him in the current squad, becoming the main striker instead of 2018’s top goalscorer, Adisak Kraisorn. Playing with BG Pathum Thani, he has scored six goals out of 13 appearances this season.
With Thailand now becoming the first team to secure a place in the semifinals, he is expected to net more goals to further fuel Changsuek’s quest to wrest the trophy from defending champions Vietnam.
Meanwhile, in the same group, Singapore have also secured a place in the semifinals at second place with the Philippines, Myanmar and Timor Leste have been eliminated. In Group B, defending champions Vietnam are expected to top the group and secure a place for the semifinals, while the remaining slot will be contested between archrivals Indonesia and Malaysia.
The semifinals for the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup will be played on 22 & 23 December, while the second leg will be played on 25 & 26 December.
This article was first published on 18 December 2021 in our Weekly E-Paper issue 172 |
THE BRUNEIAN | KUALA LUMPUR
