Victory over Qatar will boost morale: Kiatisak
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National football team coach Kiatisak Senamuang said a positive result in the friendly against Qatar in Doha today would bode well for their prospects against Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the last-12 Asian World Cup qualifying.
Kiatisak’s side is gearing up for the country’s only second appearance in the Asia’s third and final qualifying round for the 2018 finals in Russia with the tuneup game in Qatari capital before their Group B opener against a 61stranked Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on September 1.
“I haven’t picked the first eleven against Qatar. I believe that if we turn in a good display it would boost the morale of our players before the match against Saudi Arabia. Every player is determined and everyone is in good shape,” said the 43yearold coach.
Thailand have not suffered defeat in their two previous trips to Qatar but the former national striker warned that statistics would count little when the two sides clash at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
“That’s a good record for us,” Kiatisak replied after being told that the Kingdom won one game and have drawn the other in their two visits to Qatar.
“However, if we’re complacent, we could end up losing. We have to play as cautiously as possible.”
One of players likely to feature in Qatar fixture is Thai-Swiss midfielder Charyl Chappuis, who earned a recall to the national side after lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury.
“I’m happy to get back into the national side. The way the team plays really suits me. It’s up to Kiatisak to decide who should play.
“To train alongside Jay [Chanatip Songkrasin] and Tang [Sarach Yooyen] again today was just like when we prepared for the 2014 Suzuki Cup,” said the Suphanburi FC player, who last represented the country 20 months ago.
