We lack experience to compete in Asia: Surachai

 

The Thai side’s qualifying campaign went from bad to worse in the Kuwaiti capital on Tuesday night, where they sunk to a fifth straight defeat with a 3-1 loss to a Kuwait side who booked automatic qualification. 

After leaders Iran guaranteed their top spot by routing hosts Lebanon 4-1, everything was settled in Group B with one game to spare, with secondplaced Kuwait following the Iranians to the 16-team finals in Australia in two years’ time.

Lebanon, with five points from five games, stay in contention to qualify as the best third-placed team from five qualifying groups. 2007 champions Iraq currently lead the race, one point ahead of the Lebanese going into the final round of group fixtures in March.

For the Thais, though, it was yet another disappointing campaign, kicked off with a 3-1 reverse at home to Kuwait back in February. Nine months on, they have shown no signs of improvement and remained winless until their fate was sealed at the Kuwait SC Stadium by a brace from Yousef Nasser and a secondhalf penalty by Fahad Shaheen.

After praising his players for giving a good account of themselves in Kuwait, former national player Surachai, who took over the national post in August following the departure of veteran German trainer Winfried Schaefer, said his side lacked the experience to qualify against Asian opposition.

“We had a good performance today but Kuwait were physically superior. Their tall strikers had the advantage over our defenders and they managed to score three goals and create a lot of chances,” said Surachai.

“We played well in midfield but we were slow in building attacks and we couldn’t create many chances, although we did manage to score a goal. I think we need more experience in order to achieve our target and qualify for the Asian Cup finals.”