Thais promise to thrill fans in today's battle

Thais promise to thrill fans in today's battle

Myanmar pray for luck in Bangkok leg of semis

Thailand players attend a training session at Rajamangala National Stadium yesterday. Patipat Janthong
Thailand players attend a training session at Rajamangala National Stadium yesterday. Patipat Janthong

Although Thailand go into the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final second leg against Myanmar with a massive advantage, coach Kiatisak Senamuang is advising his men to floor the gas pedal at Rajamangala National Stadium this evening.

The War Elephants are on a strong footing after a 2-0 win in Yangon on Sunday, when skipper Teerasil Dangda produced a spectacular brace.

Kiatisak has asked his team to play a "beautiful, attacking" game in the match, which will kick off at 7pm and will be televised live by Channel 7 and Fox Sports.

"We already have a two-goal advantage but tomorrow [today] is an important game and a win is the target," said Kiatisak. "We will not underestimate Myanmar.

"We got the win in the first leg but I've told my players to forget about that game and focus on tomorrow's match as we want to put on a good show in front of our fans. They have been told to just think that the score is still 0-0.

"We're expecting a full house, which is good for Thai football and Asean football. We will aim for the win and go into the final."

Myanmar are unlikely to give up without a fight, and Kiatisak hinted that he would consider making some changes to the team given the strength of his reserve players.

"To avoid second yellow cards and thereby suspensions, we might rotate our players as we have a 23-man squad with equal potential."

Thailand did leave the field in Yangon with a clean slate in the first leg, but they faced some problems in keeping the Myanmar striker Aung Thu in check.

"We've been working on our defence since the first leg, but have also been concentrating on our attack as well because we're playing in front of our home crowd," added Kiatisak.

"We want to play beautiful, attacking game. I want to see our fans happy and enjoying the game."

The Thai coach had earlier said he wants to win the Southeast Asian title for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun and his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Myanmar coach, Gerd Zeise said "We are not giving up although we are two goals down to Thailand. We will try our best to bring out our best performance.

"I have many plans but we need to avoid defensive mistakes like we made in the first leg, then we can play very well.

"We want to put on a performance to satisfy our people back home.

"We can create chances but we have problems with the finishing. Our No.21 [Mg Mg Lwin] had a good chance in the first leg, for example, but it didn't go in and there were other situations like this.

"I hope that we can have more luck in this match, the luck we lacked in the first leg."

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (1)