YANGON (3 Dec 2016) – Myanmar’s hopes of sneaking past defending champions and favourites Thailand will depend on how well they contain their rivals in the first-leg AFF Suzuki Cup semi-finals at the Youth Training Centre here tomorrow. The hosts must take advantage of playing at home so they can have a fighting chance in return leg.
“For us, it will be difficult tomorrow. We saw them in the earlier games and know how strong they are. They are the favourites,” said Gerd Zeise, the Myanmar head coach at the Pre-Match Press Conference here today.
Zeise went on to say that his players may not have the individual flair of the Thais but they possessed “team power” which he said could lead them to success.
“We are strong as a team and I can promise we will give our best.”
With the away goals rule in play, it is crucial for Myanmar to put the brakes on their rivals and try to keep a clean slate. Maybe the expected 30,000 capacity crowd will help inspire the team to deliver their best. Far easier said than done, for the Thais have immense firepower from the likes of Teerasil Dangda, Charnathip ‘Messi J’ Songkrasin and Sarawut Masuk, who struck the winning goals against Singapore and the Philippines.
Thai coach Kiatisuk Senamuang or Zico was his usual calm self and said all was well with his charges. “We will play our game and the fans will have an enjoyable game,” said the former international striker.
Tomorrow, the pressure will be on Myanmar. They need to be at the top of their game for the entire 90 minutes or suffer the same fate as Singapore and concede in the dying minutes.
