Thais post storm warning

Thailand are looking to extend their unbeaten record against the Philippines in the Asean Championship when they take on the region’s top-ranked team in the semi-final first leg in Manila today.

Three-time champions Thailand have never lost to the Philippines, 128th in Fifa’s world rankings, in their six encounters in the biennial tournament, winning all of them with 19 goals scored and only three conceded.  

However, the fixture at the Rizal Memorial Stadium is the first time the two sides have met in the knockout round, after the Filipinos qualified by clinching a runners-up spot behind Vietnam in Group A.

The Thais, meanwhile, hit a purple patch with a hat-trick of victories to claim the top spot in Group B as they chase a record-equalling fourth title to draw level with Singapore as the most successful country in the regional tournament.

But the Philippines have now won back-to-back berths in the semi-finals of the event, confirming their transformation from a side once regarded as minnows to a force to be reckoned with in the region.

The Filipino “revolution” has been driven by their contingent of naturalised players, led by Filipino-English captain Philip Younghusband, with German-born coach Thomas Dooley looking to make good use of his side’s physicality. As a result, the Thais face a tougher challenge against a new-look side and manager Kasem Jariyawatwong has urged his men to produce a “super-storm-like” performance to put them in driving seat ahead of the return leg in Bangkok in four days time.

“I want everyone to show determination and hunger for the win. We should play like a big storm and sweep past the Philippines.  

“With our fans sitting to watch us back home, we need to claim the win for them,” said Kasem.

The Thai side will once again play on artificial turf at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, after playing two of their three group matches on a synthetic pitch in Singapore. But talismanic coach Kiatisak Senamuang has sought to quell any concerns over the surface, saying the plastic grass was in better condition than in Singapore. “We put emphasis on our pressing game in training today to test the pitch. At first, we were worried that the artificial pitch might be substandard. But after actually playing on it, it’s even better than at Jalan Besar [Stadium] in Singapore. Generally, it’s satisfactory for me,” said the 41-year-old coach.    

Former national striker Kiatisak, leading the Thai side in his first tournament since being officially appointed as national coach in October, also vowed to go for a victory to boost celebrations of His Majesty the King’s birthday.

“I hope our fans tune in on TV and send us support. We’re ready to bring the victory back home for the King.”

Channel 7 will televise the match live from 7.30pm.