Sarach available and raring to go for Thailand
Holding midfielder Sarach Yooyen is looking forward to Thailand’s World Cup qualifying campaign of back-to-back fixtures in the Middle East next week after the player completed his suspension.
The Muangthong United man sat out Thailand’s 2-0 loss at home to fourtime Asian champions Japan earlier this month after receiving a second yellow card for approaching the referee when the country lost 1-0 to Saudi Arabia in the group opener in Riyadh.
The 24yearold is available for selection again as the Thai side, the lowest-ranked team to compete in Asia’s decisive World Cup qualifying round, seek to kickstart their campaign when they take on UAE on October 6 and Iraq five days later in two successive away fixtures.
“I’m fully fit. I think we need to try to be consistent in terms of our performance. I’m happy I have a chance to play again after the suspension. I’ll do my duty as best as possible.
“I’m confident that if we stick to our tactics against UAE we will pick up at least a point, while against Iraq we hope to win all the three points.
“Against UAE, we have to follow the game plan set by the coach. We should hang in there and grab any opportunity that arises. That will be a bonus,” said Sarach.
Meanwhile national coach Kiatisak Senamaung said his team, which has been in the UAE since Tuesday, will have no problem in adjusting to the desert conditions in Abu Dhabi.
“We have about 10 days to prepare for the match. So, there should not be any problem. While it’s hot during the day, the temperature gradually drops when darkness approaches. The average temperature is between 35-40 degrees Celsius , which is similar to the conditions back home.”
Reigning Asian champions Australia have set the early pace in Group B of the last-12 team Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after winning their first two games and are ahead of Saudi Arabia on goal difference. Japan and UAE both have three points, while Iraq and Thailand are the two sides yet to collect any points in the group.
