(CNN) -- Jose Maria Olazabal must inspire his European team to a matchplay miracle on Sunday after Asia enjoyed an inspired day to take a 6.5-1.5 lead following the Royal Trophy four-balls in Thailand.
Thai duo Prayad Marksaeng (left) and Thongchai Jaidee celebrate their Royal Trophy victory.
The Spanish captain -- aiming to extend Europe's 100 per cent record in the event after deputising for former Ryder Cup partner and close friend Seve Ballesteros who is recovering from brain surgery -- saw the red of Asia dominate the scoreboard as the hosts extended their lead ahead of the final day's singles.
Joe Ozaki's side won three of the best-ball contests and halved the other at the Amata Spring Country Club near Bangkok to leave them requiring two points out of a possible eight on Sunday to claim their first title in the third edition of the Ryder Cup-style matchplay event.
China's Liang Wen-chong and Charlie Wi of South Korea defeated English pair Oliver Wilson and Nick Dougherty 3&2 before Scotland's Paul Lawrie and Soren Hansen of Denmark finished all square with Japanese duo Ryo Ishikawa -- the 17-year-old world number 60 -- and Toru Taniguchi.
It was Europe's only mark on the scoreboard as Olazabal's side lost the remaining matches. Thai duo Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng claimed a 4&2 victory over Ireland's Paul McGinley and Pablo Larrazabal of Spain before Swedish pair Johan Edfors and Niclas Fasth lost 2&1 to Japan's Hideto Tanihara and SK Ho of South Korea.
Olazabal, who together with Ballesteros formed the most successful Ryder Cup pairing in history, insists Europe can bounce back.
"We cannot stop believing," the 42-year-old Olazabal told PA Sport. "We still have a chance -- even though it's a slim one."
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