“We have only one option – win the match,” Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang said yesterday (Nov 11).
Group F leaders Thailand have 10 points from four matches, five ahead of Iraq who have a game in hand. Vietnam are third on four, while Taiwan are still looking for their first point.
The eight group winners and four best runners-up will progress to Asia’s final qualifying round (last 12 teams) for the 2018 World Cup.
Midfielder Chanathip ‘Messi Jay’ Songkrasin needs a late fitness test and Kiatisak said Sorrawat Dechmitr will start if the BEC Tero star is not fully fit.
“It is difficult for me to select the starting line-up because everybody wants to play,” Kiatisak said.
On paper, Kiatisak’s men should have few problems against the Taiwanese who lost 2-0 to the Thais in Taipei earlier in the campaign.
At a press conference yesterday, Kiatisak’s assistant Klairung Treejaksung said, “We will attack them from the start. We are sure that Taiwan will play defensively.
“We want to get the three points and every player is looking forward to the match. However, we won’t underestimate Taiwan because anything can happen in football.”
Thailand goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool said, “If we win, we should qualify for the last-12 team round. I hope we can move a step forward.”
Taiwan coach Chen Kuei Jen said, “It is not easy for us to play against one of the best teams in the group. We have to stay focused for the whole game. We want to get our first point. We will try to defend and wait for counter-attacks.”
Teerasil Dangda scored both goals in Taipei and Chen said he had plans to handle the Thai striker this time.
Read original story here.