Wait for football glory drags on

Thailand's bid to reclaim regional supremacy in football ended in anguish on Thursday night - and with it came an unwanted piece of history as the men's national team failed to win SEA Games gold on home soil for the first time in 50 years.

- TOR CHITTINAND

Thailand players look dejected after the final whistle.

(REUTERS)

At Rajamangala National Stadium, the young War Elephants surrendered a two-goal lead and fell 3-2 to Vietnam after extra time in the final of the 33rd edition.

What began as a night of promise - and for 30 minutes looked destined to become a triumphant home coronation - unravelled into one of the most painful defeats Thai football has suffered on home ground.

Head coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul, visibly shaken after the final whistle, apologised to supporters and accepted full responsibility for the defeat. "I want to apologise to every fan and to the management," he said. "Our target was the gold medal and we fell short.

"The clubs supported us, the players gave everything, and if we lost, then the blame must be on me - tactics, decisions, everything. We could not win the SEA Games title at home, and I accept that."

The home team, roared on by a large crowd, were left crestfallen as Vietnam completed a stirring comeback to snatch the gold medal in the 96th minute.