Al Ain: Thailand defender Tristan Do has lashed out at sacked Milovan Rajevac saying the Serb never deserved to coach the War Elephants.
Thailand interim coach Sirisak Yodyardthai, left, greets UAE boss Alberto Zaccheroni before Monday's match. KHALED DESOUKI
In an interview with Fox Sports Asia, the Thai-Vietnamese-French star also praised the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) for firing Rajevac after the national team suffered a 4-1 humiliating loss to India in their first game at the 2019 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
The FAT then appointed Sirisak Yodyardthai to take charge of the team and the Thais have since beat Bahrain 1-0 and drew 1-1 with the hosts to advance to the next round.
"I want to praise [the Football Association of Thailand] for the decision that they made because they had the courage to take the coach out during a competition which was not an easy decision. But that was definitely the best decision," the 25-year-old True Bangkok United right-back said before Thailand's game against the UAE.
"This coach never deserved Thailand. It was the best decision for him to be out."
The Paris-born player said Sirisak has been "bringing back the smiles" that were missing in the team.
"We were missing the good vibes and the enjoyment. We are doing the best job in the world. So, we are not supposed to come to training every day with heads down and everything. And I think [Sirisak] is bringing what was missing and the smile that was missing in this team," he told Fox Sports Asia.
Tristan, whose father is Vietnamese-Thai and mother French, said that the spirits inside the team have improved under the caretaker boss.
"In this particular moment, I would say it is more relief within the team because the preparation before has been difficult. And, as I said, it was the best decision for the team because now only the players and the new coach have to face their responsibility and what they have to do to get better," he said.