Thailand 'ready to meet the Dragons'

Thailand 'ready to meet the Dragons'

Caretaker coach Sirisak says his men can upstage Lippi's China in Sunday night's first Asian Cup last-16 battle

Thailand caretaker coach Sirisak Yodyardthai struck an optimistic but cautious tone on the eve of the War Elephants' Asian Cup last 16 round clash with China, but added that his men had what it takes to progress in the quadrennial tournament.

Thailand and China meet at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain Sunday at 9pm (Thailand time) and the match will be televised live by Channel 7 and Fox Sports 2.

Part of the Thai enthusiasm stems from reports that prolific Chinese striker Wu Lei looks likely to miss Sunday's match with a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the Dragons' last Group C game against South Korea. China lost the match 2-0 to finish second in their group.

Wu was the chief executioner in June last year when his brace gave China a 2-0 victory over Thailand in a friendly at Bangkok's Rajamangla National Stadium.

(But China coach Marcello Lippi said Wu is "ready to go" for Sunday's game.)

Sirisak said: "We have come this far and we hope to keep on marching into the quarter-finals. So our players are looking forward to the game and are ready for it.

"We have learned from our first round experience. We have seen many weak points and we will make the needed adjustments to up our game before the meeting with China in the last 16 round.

"The situation in the team is very good. The Football Association of Thailand president [Somyot Poompunmuang] is back with us to cheer the team and we know that the Thai fans will be rooting for us as always."

However, Sirisak, who took over the helm of the national squad after Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac was sacked following a heavy loss to India in their Group A opener, added that he had a few worries ahead of the match with China.

"I have been following the progress of the Chinese team ever since I was appointed the assistant coach of the team in 2017.

"I must admit that they have some players who worry me a great deal.

"But I am a coach and I can't permit myself to worry excessively as it could affect my team's chances of making it to the quarter-finals.

"Since I became the coach, I have allowed the players to express themselves on the field and now everyone is happy and helping each other. That is the reason that we have improved as a team."

Earlier, Sirisak admitted that he was expecting a tough game against the Chinese in Al Ain.

"I am not suggesting that we will have it easy against the Chinese. We'll have to prepare the team well for the game. They prefer to use long balls so we would have to adjust our style and tactics a great deal for the match," he said.

"I have a feeling that we can play a close game with the Chinese and stop them.

"China are coached by Marcello Lippi so their style can't be much different from the United Arab Emirates, who are coached by Alberto Zaccheroni [also from Italy]."

Thailand players celebrate after the match against the United Arab Emirates which ended 1-1 and put Thailand into the Round of 16 beginning on Sunday. (Reuters photo)

Thailand pulled off the 1-1 draw with the UAE in their last Group A outing to grab second place in the final pool table.

Under Sirisak, Thailand also beat Bahrain 1-0.

Thailand midfielder Tanaboon Kesarat added: "We are looking forward to the match.

"China have improved a lot since we beat them 5-1 some five years ago. They are stronger now. We will do our best and give China a good fight."

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