Bangkok, July 14: Thai midfielder Datsakorn Thonglao has dropped a bombshell on his team mates by announcing he will marry on the eve of Monday's crucial Asian Cup Group A match against Australia.

The talented Thai playmaker kept Sunday's wedding with fiancee Ni-on Saadphum a secret from national coach Charnwit Polcheewin until after the Thais' 2-0 victory over Oman on Thursday.

''I apologised to Charnwit and the team because I didn't even tell them about it,'' Datsakorn told the Thai-language Daily News.

''If I had told them earlier, they would have worried it would have affected my performance.'' ''I will be focused only on the game and not my wedding,'' added Datsakorn, 23, who plays his club soccer in Vietnam.

Thursday's win was Thailand's first at the Asian Cup since they first qualified in 1972.

They face the Socceroos and Iraq play Oman on Monday in the final round of group matches with all four teams still in with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

The Thais have four points along with Iraq, who lead the group on goals scored after they beat Australia 3-1 yesterday.

Reuters

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