2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers : Thailand 1-0 Palestine

Winfried Schaefer’s tenure as head coach of Thailand got off to a winning start as the three-time ASEAN champions edged Palestine 1-0 in the first leg of their 2014 FIFA World Cup second round qualifier on Saturday. The deadlock was broken 19 minutes into the clash at Buriram PEA’s I-Mobile Stadium and fittingly it was through a player who plies his trade at the home of the Thailand Premier League leaders, with Jakkaphan Kaewprom, who joined Buriram from AFC Cup 2011 quarter-finalists Muang Thong United earlier this year, putting the home side in front. The 23-year-old midfielder’s goal was ultimately all that separated the two sides and Palestine coach Moussa Bezaz will be confident his side can turn the tie around when the Thais travel to the Faisal Al Huseni Stadium for the return fixture on July 28.