Tag: Rajamangala

Thailand’s daunting task against powerful Iranians.

Bangkok

If statistics are anything to go by, struggling Thailand have little chance of pulling off a much-needed victory over group leaders Iran in the Asian Cup qualifier at home to keep their faint hopes of qualification alive.

The Thai team are languishing at the bottom of Group B without a single point from three matches. Anything less than a win in tomorrow’s fixture at Rajamangala National Stadium means would all but end their hopes of clinching one of two automatic qualifying spots from a group that also includes Kuwait and Lebanon.

The outcome of the last 11 encounters between the two sides makes unpleasant reading for the Thais, who have yet to win a match against their Middle East opponents, managing to claim only three draws. In the most recent meeting in October, the Thai team were beaten 2-1 in Tehran, with Teerasil Dangda becoming the first Thai player to score on Iranian turf.

National coach Surachai Jaturapattarapong has no illusions as to the size of the task against an Iran side coached by former Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz. Thailand will then visit second placed Kuwait in the penultimate group match on Tuesday.

“We need to be cautious and play with maximum concentration. Even though we’re at home, the Iranians are a world class team. Nevertheless, if we’re clinical up front, there’s still a chance we can win the match,” said Surachai, who took over the post following the departure of veteran German trainer Winfried Schaefer.

Iran is going for a win in Bangkok on Friday. Although the 3 points will not assure them of qualification ,  in practical terms, it means they only need 2 point from the last remaining two matches to qualify to Australia 2015.

Rajamangala stadium is not expected to be full for the match against Iran. The Thai fans have grown despondent with their team’s lack of success at Asian level and even on regional.  The Thai fans have hardly shown much enthusiasm for their national team and the local domestic league , reserving their energy and passion for visiting European teams on tours, instead. Teams like Arsenal and Manchester United , who have  large fan-base in Thailand, can easily attract full capacity crowds in Rajamangala , despite the meaningless matches they play. English teams normally play against the Thai representative or selections in what mostly turns out to be one-sided affairs with very little competition.   Despite the lack of competition and true spirit of football in these exhibition matches, the Thai fans prefer attending them over their national team matches.

There is also a threat of a general strike in Bangkok on Friday that might dampen the enthusiasm of many fans. What all these means for Iran , is that the Thai fans will not be playing a major supporting role and shall not be a factor they have to count on. Small pockets of vociferous fans are always there , but it will be hardly an Azadi atmosphere.

The match will kick off at 15:30 Tehran times.

Preview of Thailand Team.

The Thai team nicknamed “War Elephants” played a series of its best football during the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.

The display by the Thail team returned much of the lost faith by the fans to the extent that the home matches in Rajamangala National Stadium reached capacity crowds. Thailand almost defeated Australia at their home and then defeated Oman 3-0 away. This was in addition to the draw against Saudi Arabia. These results were all indicative of a good team in the making with many young starlets given the opportunity and excelling. Such reflects the strength in depth of the Thai football which always produced plenty of good players, but as a group, they haverarely managed to cap on their skills and win trophies.

The German coach  Winfried Schäfer who succeeded Bryan Robson in 2012 , was set to mount a serious challenge against the West Asian teams Iran , Kuwait and Lebanon in the AFC Asian Cup 2015 Qualifying group. Thailand was looking for at least being 2nd in the group.  However, the first defeat against Kuwait at home in the qualifiers damped the enthusiasm of the team as cracks started to build up. It was a shock result for the Thai fans, who expected a comfortable win against no so powerful Kuwait.

Thailand still had a lot of time to recover from that loss and Lebanon, despite recent good results, would have been a tough test for the next match but again , not insurmountable opposition. This time, the Thai team was overhauled by Winfried Schäfer in the hope of getting an away win.

Veteran Surat Sukha was inducted in the team in the hope of solidifying the defense.

All the efforts of Winfried Schäfer was up in the air and the hope of qualifying to Austarlai in 2015 seem to fall apart after Thailand was ripped apart by Lebanon 5-2 in another shock result. The only saving grace perhaps was the scoring of two goals by Thitiphan Puangjan who came in as a substitute after half an hour.

In June 2013, Schäfer resigned his post as the Head Coach of Thailand. The FA of Thailand appointed Kiatisak Senamuang as the new caretaker coach for national team. His first task was friendly match against China PR on June 15, which he won 5–1.

It is not known which of the two teams will be playing against Team Melli tomorrow , but what is apparent is that Kiatisak will be desperate for at least one point in Tehran. It is unlikely that The Thai will go for an offensive game plan, preferring to let Team Melli do all the attacking , while they try to hit the hosts on the counter with their pacey players and then hoping for the best. Team Melli , despite being quite shy in scoring recently , could very well change in this match while oozing with confidence. Their mind at easce with qualification already assured to the World Cup, and setting comfortably at the top of the Asian Cup qualkifuication group, the team should give its best.

Tuesday will be a battle between a solidified 5 man Thai defense , backed by 4 more midfield players against an offensive Team Melli trying to score as many as they did against Lebanon.

The two different teams that represented Thailand in the competition so ar:

 

Against Kuwait in Bangkok: 1- 3

[1]Kawin Thamsatchanan ; [2] Panupong Wongsa (c), [3]    Theerathon Bunmathan,  [4] Chonlatit Jantakam,  [11]  Anucha Kitpongsri (59’ [13] Chatree Chimtale ), [7] Datsakorn Thonglao, [10] Teerasil Dangda, [12] Adul Lahso (82’ [17] Apipoo Suntornpanave) ,  [19] Phichitphong Choeichiu, [23] Piyaphon Buntao, [16] Jakkapan Pornsai (72’ [20] Chanathip)

GOAL: Chanathip

YELLOW: [4] Chonlatit Jantakam, [7] Datsakorn Thonglao

Own goal: Bunmathan

 

Against Lebanon in Beirut 2-5

 [23] Siwarak Tedsungnoen ; [3] Theerathon Bunmathan, [21]Prayat, [6] Narubadin, [15]Surat Sukha, [7] Datsakorn Thonglao (c), [10] Teerasil Dangda, [11] Anucha Kitpongsri ((46’ [20] Chanathip), [14] Anthony Petch Ampaipitakwong, [16] Jakkapan Pornsai (31′ [19] Thitiphan Puangjan), [4] Apiwat Ngualamhin (54′ [5] Atit Daosawang

[6] Narubadin, [4] Apiwat Ngualamhin

GOALS: Thitiphan Puangjan (2)