Kiatisak calls for reinforcements
Thailand coach throws open door to fringe players
National football team coach Kiatisak Senamuang has urged his peripheral players to step up for the team as Thailand look to qualify for the Asean Championship semi-finals as group winners with a win against Myanmar in their final Group B match today. Three-time champions Thailand are already assured of a berth in the two-leg semi-finals of the biennial tournament after taking a maximum six points from their opening two games.
A nervy 2-1 win over titleholders and four-time champions Singapore in the group opener followed by Wednesday’s stirring 3-2 comeback victory against 2010 winners Malaysia consolidated the Thais’ place at the top of the table, three points ahead of Singapore in second spot.
The Thai team need only a draw against bottom side Myanmar, tied on a single point with third-placed Malaysia, to clinch the top spot, which would earn them a supposedly easier task in the last four against the Group A runners-up. The 41-year-old coach Kiatisak is set to ring changes for the Myanmar match at the tiny Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore and he has challenged those coming into the team to prove they deserve a permanent place.
“We will make changes [for the Myanmar match] to give everyone a chance to prove themselves. We aren’t facing Japan or South Korea, but it’s Myanmar, our local rivals so pride is at stake. The lads who play need to show why they got the call-up to the national side. We want three points from every game. Despite already being assured of qualification, we need to get the job done tomorrow.
“We could switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Chanin Sae-ear in goal. Suttinun Phukhom and Praweenrat Boonyong will be at the centre of defence, with Arthit Daosawang at right-back and Chanapat Kitpongsrithada opposite on the left.
“Adul Lahsoh will captain the side and play in defensive midfield alongside Tanaboon Kesarat, with Sompong Sorlap, Chainarong Tathong or Sarawut Masuk in an advanced role to support lone striker Kirati Kiewsombat,” said Kiatisak.
The former national striker, in charge of the team in his first tournament since being appointed national coach last month, said his side would begin preparing for the semi-finals as soon as the group stage finished.
“We’ll arrive back home on Sunday and start training that evening. We’ll hold a training camp upcountry … either in Khao Yai or Chiang Mai in order to get acclimatised to the cool weather, because we could face Vietnam in the last four.”
After the Malaysia fixture was delayed two and half hours by torrential rain, organisers confirmed they would push the semi-final game back by one and half an hours in the event of a forecast of thunderstorms and postpone it to Sunday if there was a threat of lightning.
