Maximum points MATTERS for Thailand

Topping Group F on 10 points from four matches, five adrift of Iraq, who played one game fewer, the Thai side need three points from their penultimate group game against the Taiwanese that would put them in the driving seat for automatic qualification for the last-12 team round.

Should they come out on top against a Taiwanese side, firmly rooted to the bottom without a single point from three games, the Thais would need just a draw from a tricky trip to Iraq on March 24 to ensure direct passage into the next round.  

With the maximum points all that matters for the Thais’ qualification hopes, national team coach Kiatisak Senamuang was focused only on clinching a victory rather than bagging a handful of goals against Taiwan, who are at a lowly 187th spot in the world rankings.   

“We’re not thinking about how many goals we would score because that could turn into unnecessary pressure for the players. We have only one single target…to claim three points before our last game against Iraq. 

“We’re as prepared as we could be after a training camp at Kirin Valley. Nevertheless, we still have to find the right balance between our attacking play and defending.” “We’ll play our game and adopt the tactics we practiced for two weeks. Everyone has good understanding about our system. Things could possibly be uncomfortable for us because Taiwan are likely to sit back. Nevertheless, I have confidence in every player that they would be able to find the back of the net against Taiwan and claim the three points we need.”  

BEC Tero Sasana midfielder Chanathip, who was struggling with a groin injury, was the Thai team’s major doubt for the sold-out Taiwan fixture but Kiatisak remained confident his side could cope with the absence of the 22-year-old, voted as the best player in last year’s ASEAN Championship.

“The MRI scan showed that it [Chanathip’s groin injury] was not serious as initially thought. There’s still a possibility that he could play. I need to check him again. However, if he could not play, we still have other players such as Sanrawat Dechmitr and Prakit Deeprom to step in the side.

Despite eight Thai players being one caution away from a suspension for the Iraq fixture, Kiatisak preferred to see his men holding nothing back against Taiwan. 

“I don’t instruct the lads to be careful because that could make them nervous. I give them the license to play as usual,” said the 44-year-old former national striker.