By Martyn Osmond
July 14 2004

Newcastle got their pre-season campaign off to an unspectacular start today, drawing with the Thailand national side 1-1 over 90 minutes before losing on penalties. Newcastle had fallen behind in the first half, but Lee Bowyer maintained his excellent relationship with the Asian community by scoring from a Darren Ambrose assist early in the second half. United made numerous substitutions, including goalkeeper Tony Caig making his first appearance in the first team as a second half substitute for Given.

Unbeknown to Caig, he was to later face a penalty shoot-out. Newcastle had already taken off Shearer, Robert, Speed and Jenas, all of whom would've been expected to take penalties, so were left thin on the ground when it came to accomplished penalty takers.

Thailand scored their first penalty to go 1-0 ahead, before Shola Ameobi stepped up to level the scores at 1-1.

The home side then went 2-1 up, and watched as the goalscorering hero Lee Bowyer blasted over the bar (rumours that he was just trying to hit some Asians who were standing in the crowd are as yet unconfirmed).

The third Thai penalty was then hit wide, only for new boy James Milner to see his penalty saved firectly after, to keep the scores at 2-1 to the Thais.

Thailand went 3-1 up from the following kick, and United needed a goal to stay in it. Young Cramlington-born midfielder Martin Brittain made no mistake, slotting it cooly past the Thai keeper to keep the Toon in it at 3-2.

However, Thailand needed just one more to win, and they duly obliged, taking the Thai...sorry, the tie 4-2.

Positives to come out of the match were the performances of the youngsters who made appearances in the match, including new boy James Milner along with Steven Taylor, Martin Brittain, Michael Chopra and Lewis Guy, and the goalscoring performance of Lee Bowyer in the second half in his preferred central midfield role. Another interesting point was the appearance of Robbie Elliott at Left-Back, due to a minor injury to Olly Bernard in training.

Team: Given (Caig 75mins), Hughes (Taylor 69 mins), Elliott, O'Brien, Bramble, Ambrose (Brittain 69 mins), Jenas (McClen 74mins), Speed (Bowyer 46mins), Robert (Milner 46mins), Shearer (Ameobi 46mins), Chopra (Guy 69mins).