Theerathon says Thai players committed
THAILAND CAPTAIN Theerathon Bunmathan insisted that his team-mates are committed to the team’s cause as they look to earn their first points in the last-12 Asian qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup when they take on Iraq today.
The Group B fixture at a neutral venue in Tehran will see a clash between two sides who have lost their opening three matches, with the Kingdom at the bottom of the six-team table trailing the Iraqis on goal difference.
This is the third meeting in a little over a year between the two countries after they twice drew in the previous round, which Thailand topped ahead of Iraq to make the last-12 stage for only the second time.
Despite the country’s hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup finals in Russia now looking remote, Muangthong United left-back Theerathon reiterated that everyone was focused on the task of helping Thailand get their campaign off the ground against 128th-ranked Iraq.
“We may have lost three games but everyone is determined to get us points. We give 100 per cent in every game we play. It’s not going to be different this time [against Iraq],” the national skipper said of opponents who they drew with 2-2 at home in September last year before another stalemate by the same scoreline in March.
“But our job will be tougher considering that they have made some personnel changes and have more information about us. But we will try our best for our fans and the country.”
Even though the chance of making it to the World Cup appears to have slipped away, the 26-year-old pointed out that his team will benefit in the long term from their appearance in the decisive qualifying round.
“All the 12 teams are strong. Whether we qualify or not is another matter. The most important thing is the experience of playing at the Asian level. Playing against the top sides of the continent, makes us battle-hardened and play without fear. Individually, it makes us better players.
“It will put us in good stead for the next Asian Cup. We have everything to gain at this phase. The experience we gain will make us stronger for the 2019 Asian Cup.”
The statistics are clearly in favour of the Thai side as they have not lost to Iraq in their last six meetings, winning twice and drawing four times. However, the Gulf side looked to be in better form heading into the fixture at PAS Stadium in the Iranian capital after they pushed Japan all the way before being sunk by stoppage-time goal in a 2-1 loss.
The Thai side, meanwhile, scored only their first goal of the campaign in Thursday’s 3-1 loss to UAE in Abu Dhabi, which followed defeats to Saudi Arabia (1-0) and Japan (2-0) last month. Reigning Asian champions Australia currently lead the group on goal difference from the Saudis after the two sides took seven points from three games.
Channel 7 will televise the game live from 7.30pm (Bangkok time).
