Thailand’s brave run at the 2014 Asian Games came to an end without reward on Thursday after they were beaten 1-0 by Iraq in the bronze medal playoff.
Following a goalless first half at the Incheon Football Stadium, the breakthrough arrived for the Iraqis in the 63rd minute when Younis Mahmoud met an Ali Adnan corner with a powerful header past Kawin Thamsatchanan into the top corner.
But while they were ultimately unable to make history by bringing home their first-ever medal at the Games, the War Elephants can still leave Incheon with their heads held high after an impressive campaign which saw them dominate Indonesia, Maldives and Timor-Leste in the group stage, before claiming excellent victories over China and Jordan in the knockout round.
Meanwhile, Korea Republic won the gold medal after defeating fierce rivals DPR Korea 1-0 in the final at the Incheon Munhak Stadium.
It looked as though penalties would be needed to decide a winner, after neither team were able to find the breakthrough in regulation time, as well as most part of the 30 added minutes.
However, in the 121st minute, North Korean custodian Ri Myong-guk made a horrible error as he flapped at a corner and although Lee Yong-jae’s initial effort was blocked on the line, Rim Chang-woo followed up by smashing the rebound into the back of the net to win it for the hosts.
Thursday’s 2014 Asian Games Results
Final
Korea Republic 1-0 DPR Korea
Bronze Medal Playoff
Thailand 0-1 Iraq
