Moyes' United reign begins with shock loss
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, July 14, 2013
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Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Anderson (L) in action against Singha All Star team's Thitipan Puangchan (R) during the friendly soccer match between Manchester United and the Singha All Star team at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on July 13, 2013. |
David Moyes' reign at Manchester United began with an embarrassing upset yesterday as his highly-paid squad of players slumped to a 0-1 defeat against Thailand's Singha All-Star XI in Bangkok.
The new manager sat grim-faced on the bench as the feted visitors, who have been given a hero's welcome in Thailand, failed to recover after falling behind early in the second half.
The English Premier League champion cannot even say the goal was against the run of play after scorer Teeratep Winothai had had two of the best chances of the game up to that point.
The result, albeit in a meaningless friendly and with a youthful team, will not ease the task of Moyes as the Scot seeks to follow Alex Ferguson's 27-year, 38-trophy stint at the world's most famous club.
Without strikers Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, a toothless United paid the price in stifling heat in front of a sellout crowd of 50,000.
After a scoreless first half, the All Stars, who included five Thai internationals, struck in the 49th minute through captain Teeratep, converting a pass from Dango Siaka.
It was sweet revenge for Thailand, which lost to the visitors 1-2 when they last came to town 12 years ago.
United left Bangkok right after the game for the next match in Sydney, Australia, where van Persie will join the team.
Moyes will hope for better from his players on the rest of the trip, including to Japan, Hong Kong and Sweden, before they begin their Premier League title defense on August 17.
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