Kiatisak orders all-out attack

After racking up five consecutive wins on the way to their second successive final, defending champions Thailand came unstuck in Wednesday’s first leg at the sold-out Pakansari Stadium in west Java, throwing away a halftime lead and slumping to their first defeat in this year’s competition.

It marked the fifth time Thailand had lost the away tie since 2004, when the home-and-away format for the final was introduced. The single time they have overturned a deficit came two years ago when they beat Malaysia 4-3 on aggregate after losing 3-2 in Kuala Lumpur. 

That record doesn’t bode well for his side’s chances of turning the tide in the second leg, but Kiatisak is convinced his men can rise to the occasion and win a record-breaking fifth regional crown.

“Indonesia really made it difficult for us in the first game. That won’t be a problem [today], though. We’re back at home with a target to win the title for the fifth time.

“All our 23 players are ready. It should be a good game. We’ll try to implement our plan,” the former national striker told a pre-match press conference yesterday.

When asked if his men felt pressure in contrast to the situation two years ago, when they headed to Malaysia with a 2-0 advantage, Kiatisak simply replied: “We’ve already forgotten the last game. We are only thinking about tomorrow and our final.”   

The 43-year-old coach then sought to shift the focus onto the visitors by suggesting that the pressure to win their first title in five attempts could prove to be their undoing. 

“Only a win will do for us tomorrow,” Kiatisak said. “A draw is not enough. Anyway, I think the pressure will be on the Indonesians. We have already won it [the title] four times, while they are yet to win. Surely, they will want to achieve that feat, but tomorrow would be our fifth,” said the trainer, who steered the Kingdom to their fourth title at the last edition to put them level with Singapore as the tournament’s most successful country. 

With his charges in need of at least a 1-0 win to nick the title on the away goals rule, Kiatisak, who is aiming to win his second successive trophy as manager to add to the three he won during his playing days, confirmed the hosts would take the game to Alfred Riedl’s side from the outset.

“We’ll be in offensive mode from the opening whistle. We’ll keep pushing for the full 90 minutes. We’re relฌish playing in front of our own fans … it will be interesting. I can’t tell you whether we will win or not, but we’ll give it our best shot.        

“Indonesia without question will want to win a title they have never won. So let’s see how things unfold. We are playing at our fortress, Rajamangala, and every Thai player is determined to clinch the title for the fans and dedicate it to the Kings Rama IX and Rama X.”