BANGKOK (16 Dec 2014) – In 1996, Kiatisuk ‘Zico’ Senamuang led Thailand to the inaugural AFF-organised title when he scored the winner in the final against Malaysia.
Today, 18-years on, Zico is the Thai chief coach and is aiming to steer Thailand to their fourth AFF Suzuki Cup title.
Zico has always made his intentions clear especially after his team’s smashing defeats over Singapore and Malaysia in the group stage.
“I want to win the cup, I want to win it for the people of Thailand,” Zico said in an earlier interview.
Today, he did not turn up for the pre-match Press Conference but his assistant Choketawee Promrut echoed a similar message.
However, standing in the way of Zico’s dreams of winning the title for Thailand again is Malaysian coach Dollah Salleh, whose tactics led to stunning victories over Singapore in the group stage and Vietnam in the semifinals.
In fact, in the group match against Thailand, Dollah’s boys managed to take the lead twice before the Thais charged back to draw level and in the dying minutes score the winner. Malaysia could have won that tie had their players been focused.
Dollah contends that if his team can repeat the form that they had, particularly against the Vietnamese, he feels there is no reason the team can’t get away with a good result in Bangkok.
“We might be using the same line-up. We had a good game in Hanoi and created history there as we have not beaten them at home for a long time. I hope this will also further add to the players’ confidence ahead of tomorrow.”
Striker Safee Sali, who was rested against Vietnam, is eager to get back into action and hopes the coach will find it fit to field him.
“There is no issue as I’m not injured. It’s up to the coach to decide on me.”
Speaking about his teammates, Safee, who was the hero of the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup campaign, said the spirit in the team was very good.
“Our spirits are high. We are all looking forward to play the Thais.”
PICTURE by Khairil Ajhar Jaafar / www.asiana.my
