Wounded Thais 'can still beat Lebanon'
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Chonburi FC coach Withaya Laohakul believes the injuryplagued Thailand side is still good enough to come away with a positive result from a tricky away match tomorrow against World Cup hopefuls Lebanon.
Anything less than a win against the Gulf nation could deal a fatal blow to Thai hopes of reaching the Asian Cup finals in Australia in two years’ time.
Despite several members of the Thai squad struggling with injury, former national player Withaya remains convinced that the team, currently lying bottom in Group A, will be able to deliver the goods against opponents they have an unbeaten record against over five previous meetings.
“We have never lost to Lebanon. Even though this time many players are out with injuries, those who come into the team should be able to do a good job. What they lack is experience. But I think if we stay well disciplined defensively we will not lose the game.
“Whether we can win the match or not will depend on how clinical Teerasil [Dangda, Muang Thong United striker] is in front of goal. I’m convinced that we can win it,” said Withaya, who once played for German club Hertha Berlin.
Withaya also stated that if Thailand failed again to qualify for a major tournament, the Football Association of Thailand would have to take the blame, not German coach Winfried Schaefer, who he says has not been supported properly by the association.
“If we fail in qualifying, the FAT must be held responsible for the failure because they’re the ones who brought in Schaefer, then didn’t back him well enough. I would change the association but keep the German in the job.”
