Eriksson, Leicester in Thailand friendly
Bangkok Post: 10 Oct 2010
Leicester cruise to 2-0 winWaghorn, Gallagher on target for English visitors as Eriksson begins his reign in style
Sven-Goran Eriksson got off to a winning start as Leicester City manager as the Foxes comfortably beat Thailand 2-0 in a friendly match at Supachalasai stadium yesterday.
Martyn Waghorn puts Leicester ahead after just 10 minutes.
Martyn Waghorn (10th minute) and Paul Gallagher (34th) scored for the English League Championship (second division) side in wet conditions following a heavy downpour.
Leicester, owned by Thai duty free retail King Power Group, proved too strong for Thailand, who were a mixture of the full national and Under-23 players.
The match was part of the full national team's and the Under-23 side's preparations for December's Suzuki Cup (Asean championship) and next month's Asian Games respectively.
Waghorn opened the scoring after just 10 minutes and saw his shot stopped by Thailand goal-keeper Kawin Thamasatchanan after 28 minutes.
The Foxes piled pressure on the home side and took a 2-0 lead with a Gallagher strike after 34 minutes.
Thailand's best chance came in the 40th minute when striker Sarayoot Chaikamdee went clear but sent his shot wide.
Thailand had a couple of good chances in the second half but lacked sharpness.The English team came close to scoring more goals late in the game with Waghorn's shot saved and Gallagher's effort hitting the bar.
"It was a good game and I'm happy with the result," said Eriksson who was appointed Leicester manager a few days ago.
Leicester sacked Portuguese coach Paolo Sousa last week after a bad start to the season. The Foxes are currently 22nd in the 24-team Championship.
Eriksson admitted that the club faced a tough task to get promotion to the Premier League.
"It is everybody's dream to be promoted to the Premier League. We have to work hard to return to the Premier League," said the Swede.
Leicester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, left, talks with Thailand coach Bryan Robson.
"I cannot say when we will be promoted but we will try our best. Right now, our position is not good."
Asked about his spell at Manchester City when the club was owned by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Eriksson said: "I don't want to be involved in politics. I only concentrate on football. The new club means the new thing to me."
Thaksin sacked Eriksson after just one season although the Swedish coach took the club to ninth place in the Premier League.
Thailand coach Bryan Robson said his men did well but they looked exhausted after playing many games in the Thai Premier League, the League Cup and the FA Cup.
"Leicester are a strong team and I'm sure they can get back to the Premier League," he said.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/200593/leicester-cruise-to-2-0-win
Search Option
Recent Posts
Todays Birthdays
