Sukhothai FC ready to take on mighty Shanghai SIPG
Having been distracted by the visa problem in the build up to what is arguably the biggest game in the club’s history, Thai League outfit Sukhothai FC are now ready to take on a starstudded Shanghai SIPG in the AFC Champions League playoff on Tuesday in China.
Sukhothai are just one game away from joining Thai League champions Muangthong Untied, who earned an automatic berth, in the lucrative group stage of the continent’s premier club competition after thumping Myanmar’s Yadanarbon FC 5-0 in the preliminary round last week.
The Thai club was made to wait anxiously before it was only confirmed on Friday that they could make the trip to China after receiving visas for its 27-member travelling party just in time. They, though, were unable to travel on the same plane and needed to use as many as eight flights for the whole team to reach Shanghai.
After the hectic trip, Sukhothai president Somsak Thepsuthin hoped his men could spring a surprise over the big spending Chinese Super League club, who splurged hundreds of millions of euros on world-class players such as Brazil international duo Oscar and Hulk.
“I asked the players before their departure to give it all as we’re the representatives of Thailand in the competition. To be honest, we’re inferior to them in every aspect.
“But, I only want to see them fight and stick to our coach’s tactics. They must play without fear even if we face such a big team as Shanghai SIPG.
“Our players have less experience in competing at the highest level. Shanghai is a strong side with top-class players such as Oscar and Hulk. However, if we are able to play exactly as planned, coupled with some luck, we maybe could surprise them,” said Somsak, who offered Bt1 million incentive should his charges topple the Chinese opponents to make the group stage of the AFC’s flagship event.
The Thai side will be placed in Group F along with FC Seoul, Urawa Red Diamonds and Western Sydney Wanderers if they do come through the playoff tie.
