Soccer-Thailand down hosts Singapore, 10-man Malaysia held
* Myanmar held by 10-man Malaysia
* Thais win with last minute penalty (Adds late game)
By Patrick Johnston
SINGAPORE, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Tournament favourites Thailand snatched a late winner over defending champions Singapore to kick off their Suzuki Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory on Sunday and former winners Malaysia were held to a goalless draw by Myanmar.
Co-hosts Singapore were left with only themselves to blame after squandering numerous chances before Muhammad Safuwan handled Charyl Chappuis' 88th minute cross from the right with the Iranian referee pointing straight to the penalty spot.
Chappuis, who won the FIFA under-17 World Cup in 2009 with Switzerland before switching to play for Thailand, stepped up to stroke home the spot-kick low to the right of Singaporean goalkeeper Hassan Sunny to leave the home side deflated.
"Today was very difficult game, they are champions four times already. We were lucky to get three points," Thai assistant coach Klairung Treejaksang told reporters.
There was nothing fortunate about their ninth-minute goal as the visitors caught the hosts snoozing with a quick throw on which led to Prakit Deeprom crossing for Mongkol Thosakrai to smash home from close range off the underside of the bar.
However, Singapore were back level 11 minutes later when striker Khairul Amri pulled away from his marker to head home a deep cross by Shaiful Esah but the striker struggled thereafter as chances came and went.
Emboldened, Thailand threatened more as the game wore on and with the introduction of talented playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin, also known as 'Messi Jay', with Sunny forced into a couple of sharp saves.
But the keeper could do nothing as Safuwan was guilty of giving away the penalty as Singapore slumped to an opening defeat and fell to the bottom of Group B ahead of Wednesday's clash with Myanmar.
The White Angels showed they would be a tricky test for the hosts by holding former winners Malaysia to a goalless draw in a fixture delayed by more than hour by heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Malaysia midfielder Gary Steven Robbat was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 34th minute as Myanmar pushed for a first win in the biennial tournament for Southeast Asia sides since 2008.
But 2010 winners Malaysia held firm and had their own chances to grab a first win under new coach Dollah Salleh but a fifth-minute effort from forward Amri Yahyah was rightly ruled out for offside. (Editing by Ed Osmond)
