Japan can be beaten, says Thailand’s TD Wittaya
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Football Association of Thailand’s technical director Wittaya Laohakul feels that regional heavyweights Japan can be beatable after returning from a spying mission at the Kirin Cup in Osaka.
The former Chonburi FC coach was in the stands at Suita City Stadium where hosts Japan lost 2-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final of the Kirin Cup, a result which brought an end to their 11-match unbeaten streak stretching back to August last year.
While reiterating that Vahid Halihodzic’s side remained a formidable opposition, Wittaya, the first Thai to ply his trade in Europe’s top leagues with Hertha Berlin in Germany’s Bundesliga in late 70s, suggested there remains a chink in their armour.
“Japan team is strong because they have strong foundation. Their players have good understanding about tactics and the team’s efficiency goes up when they play with their best players.
“Nevertheless, there remains a weak spot, which gives us a chance to beat them. I’ll write about their weakness to national coach Kiatisak Senamuang. He will figure out a way to exploit that weakness,” said the 62-year-old Wittaya.
Thailand and Japan have been drawn in Group B of the World Cup qualifying last-12 round along with Asian champions Australia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and UAE. The Kingdom will kick off their campaign with a trip to Saudi Arabia on September 1.
