Thai coach Zico wary of young Lions

Thirteen-time champions Thailand, the most successful team in the SEA Games history, have qualified for the semifinals as Group B winners and are just two matches away from reclaiming the title, which has eluded them since 2007 in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The Thai campaign to regain the title has so far been solid but unspectacular after they finished the group stage with two wins and two draws, one of which was a goalless stalemate with bottom side Cambodia in their final group match on Monday in Yangon. Singapore finished as runnersup in Group A behind defending champions Malaysia, who are eyeing a hattrick of victories following title triumphs in Laos and Indonesia.
Kiatisak, a former national striker who helped the country win four SEA Games trophies during his glittering career, is wary of the threat posed by the “Young Lions”.
“It’s not easy facing a Singapore team given the height of their players. They drew with Malaysia and won against Vietnam in the group phase so we can’t take anything for granted.
“They’re a strong side and we definitely cannot underestimate them. I already had a look at their team and there were five players, who played in the recent Merdeka Cup. This Singapore side is good technically. They defend very well and are good at swift breaks. Their attacking players are very quick.”
The 40yearold Kiatisak, who announced his arrival on international stage by coming off the bench to score the winner in Thailand’s 4-3 victory over Myanmar in the final 20 years ago when he made his debut in the tournament in Singapore, was adamant his players would reach the final.
“They like to play smash-and-grab style of football. If they manage to take the lead, they would sit back on the lead so we must be very careful about this. Vietnam were already undone by such trick when they lost 1-0.
“We need to play very carefully and take our chance when it comes. Nevertheless, I’m still confident with my team’s potential. All of our main players got full rest after sitting out the Cambodia match and they’re ready for the match tomorrow. We’ll make it through to the final for the first time in four years,” said Kiatisak.
Thailand had established a stranglehold on the tournament by winning eight consecutive titles before suffering backtoback group stage exits in the two previous editions.