SINGAPORE – For a crew that gained the Asean Soccer Federation (AFF) Championship 5 instances and made the ultimate eight instances, any end exterior the highest two shall be thought to be a failure by Thailand.
After being knocked out within the semi-finals within the final version in 2018, the Struggle Elephants are bringing their large weapons – together with overseas-based gamers – to Singapore this 12 months to wrest again the crown.
They embrace skilled goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan (from Belgium’s OH Leuven), defenders Jonathan Khemdee (Denmark’s Odense BK) and Theerathon Bunmathan (Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos), influential playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin (Japan’s Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo) and midfielder Thanawat Suengchitthawon (England’s Leicester Metropolis).
It is a main distinction from the 2018 squad that comprised all-local-based gamers, and former Thailand and Laos coach Steve Darby felt the quintet would offer an enormous enhance.
The 66-year-old Englishman mentioned: “Their abroad expertise has not solely made them higher gamers but additionally toughened them up. They’re important for Thailand (to do effectively on the AFF Suzuki Cup).”
Nonetheless, Thailand didn’t fare effectively within the second spherical of the World Cup qualifiers. They have been eradicated after ending behind the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Malaysia, and have been forward of solely Indonesia.
This led to the sacking of Japanese coach Akira Nishino, as their SEA Video games crew additionally did not make it previous the group stage in 2019, when Vietnam gained their first title.
The brand new man on the helm is Alexandre Polking, 45, who grew to become the pinnacle coach of a nationwide crew for the primary time in September.
Primarily based on his time with Bangkok United within the Thai high tier from 2014 to 2020, the German tactician favours a possession-heavy, attacking type with fast and technical gamers.
Regardless of the crew having to adapt to the brand new coach in a short while body, Darby felt Polking’s expertise as a former Thailand assistant coach and his time within the Thai league stands him in good stead.
He mentioned: “Usually it could be a hindrance shedding a coach so close to a match. However on this case it may very well be a constructive issue.
“Polking is a superb coach and is aware of the gamers very effectively because of his expertise as a coach within the Thai League and his time with the nationwide crew. So in some ways he was much more certified than the earlier Japanese coach, who made too many eccentric choices together with his crew alternatives.
“I additionally know that he has the respect of the present gamers. I believe it is a enhance for the crew as many have been sad with the strategies of the earlier coach.”
Polking ought to clear his first hurdle towards Timor Leste on Sunday (Dec 5), however sterner checks of his credentials and tactical nous await as Thailand tackle Myanmar (Dec 11), the Philippines (Dec 14) and hosts Singapore (Dec 18).
In any case, expectations again dwelling are sky excessive as standard.
Paul Murphy, a contract soccer author in Thailand, mentioned the minimal goal can be to achieve the ultimate. He added: “Individuals in Thailand need to see progress and with the squad they’ve, I believe the ultimate is an achievable goal. Malaysia and Vietnam are the 2 groups seen as threats to that focus on.”
Gian Chansrichawla, co-founder and author at Thai soccer portal Thai League Central added: “Something lower than the ultimate can be an enormous disappointment. The nationwide crew have struggled in recent times however this AFF Championship is a major alternative for Thailand to get again heading in the right direction and play good soccer once more.”
