Medellin: Thailand failed in their bid to seal a historic quarter-final berth at the Fifa Futsal World Cup when they lost 13-8 to Azerbaijan in the last-16 round after extra time at Colombia 2016 yesterday.
The match ended in a 7-7 draw in regulation and the Thais ran out of steam in extra time as Azerbaijan scored six more goals.
"We do not have to feel sad as we did not lose to them in regulation," Thailand coach Miguel Rodrigo said.
"Everybody did a brilliant job and fought impressively. I am so proud of them although I have been with them for just two and a half months.
"I don't know if I will be with them after the tournament but my impression with them will me with me forever. I will never forget this."
Thailand's futsal development chief Adisak Benjasiriwan said: "I'd like to offer my apology to the Thai fans that we failed to create history by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.
"But I am proud of the players who gave their all."
He complained that the referee made some bad calls which led to his team conceding a couple of goals.
"I am disappointed by the referee's officiating," he said.
Thailand striker Suphawut Thueanklang said: "We have moved closer to the world level and we will keep moving towards the target. I'd like to thank the Thai fans who got up early to watch us."
Jirawat Sornwichian, whose brother was killed in a car accident just before the quarter-finals, said: "We did our best and I don't feel sad. But it's a pity that I could not help the team win it for my brother."
Led by five goals from Fineo, who will be suspended for the last-eight stage, the Azeris had enough left in the tank by extra time to overcome the Thais in what was a pulsating goal fest in Medellin.
Spectators at Coliseo Ivan de Bedout were treated to eight of the 21 goals scored in the first half, with Azerbaijan's lead pegged back twice by the plucky Thais.
Vassoura opened the scoring before Fineo scored the first of his opening-half brace to put the Azeris two goals up.
That prompted a response from the Southeast Asians, with Suphawut scoring two fine goals to make it 2-2.
Back came the Azeris, however, as Fineo scored his second goal of Colombia 2016 before setting up Vitaliy Borisov to make it 4-2 from his free-kick delivery.
That only spurred Thailand into another response, with captain Kritsada Wongkaeo converting twice to make it 4-4 at half-time.
Thailand then claimed the advantage with a pair of exquisite goals after the restart.
Jirawat gave the Thais their first lead in the match with a sublime volleyed finish, before Kritsada sealed his hat-trick with a header from Suphawut's neat cross.
Yet, true to the nature of this contest, a pair of Thiago Bolinha goals for Azerbaijan brought the match level at 6-6 before Fabio Poletto's slide and finish restored the European side's lead.
Thailand's response would send the game to extra time, as Jetsada Chudech's free-kick strike made it 7-7 after 40 thrilling minutes of action.
Azerbaijan then took control in extra time, reaching double digits in the first period through Bolinha, Vassoura and Fineo before Chudech converted a second penalty for 10-8.
Fineo then added two more to complete an extra-time hat-trick before goalkeeper Rovshan Huseynli, who will also miss the next game through suspension, scored the 21st and final goal of the match to send Azerbaijan through to a quarter-final clash with Portugal. bangkok post/www.fifa.com