Coach proud after national team sign off with second straight win
Milovan Rajevac couldn’t have asked for a better way to end his first season with the Thailand’s national football team after his side collected their second straight win with a 1-0 goal against Kenya at the SCG Stadium.
Teerasil Dangda punished a rebound from Kenya’s goalie Bonface Oluoch in the 62nd minute for his second goal in two games after contributing one of the three goals (3-1) against Myanmar at the Mandalar Thiri Stadium on Thursday.
It was the last game of the year for the Kingdom’s team under the Serbian’s command.
“I feel proud with the Thai team after they won two last matches of the year. I have to say this is a fantastic place to work,” said the 63-year-old, who succeeded Kiatisak Senamuang in May.
Under his charge, Thailand won four matches, including successes over North Korea and Belarus in the King’s Cup, lost three times – a friendly to Uzbekistan and two World Cup Qualifiers, against Iraq and Australia – and drew with the United Arab Emirates in another World Cup Qualifier.
“I’m satisfied not only because we won but also because we didn’t lose a goal,” he said. “ We conceded only one goal in the last two matches, which made me really happy.
“I told the boys before the game that this would be the last match of the year so they should do their best. I’m satisfied with their game.”
Sunday’s game also marked the 100th cap for team captain Datsakorn Thonglao, who was presented after the match with a special jersey with the number 100 on the back, by Thai football chief Somyot Poompanmoung.
“Today’s game is important for Datsakorn who played his 100th match in the national team,” said Rajevac. “We played a quality team from Africa. The match was competitive and fast. They put a lot of pressure, strategizing play , dominating in the air. They certainly have their strengths.”
Datsakorn Thonglao, 33, returned to the national team for the first time in three years.
“As the coach said, the result of the match was the most important. I’m so happy to be part of the team. No matter what happens from now on, I will always support fellow national players,” he said.
“Thank you to the coach and all those people who gave me this opportunity. Without your support, I wouldn’t be able to stand here.”
