BANGKOK (16 Dec 2012) – Chang suk (Thai war elephant) is on a rampage where after disposing defending champions Malaysia, chief coach Winfried Schaefer is confident of bringing back the crown after ten long years.
With just days left to the first-leg, finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 in Singapore, the German is keeping a lid on anxious minds as they prepare to at least gain some measure of confidence from a positive result on the road.
“I have watched Singapore played before this year and just like Malaysia, they are a good side,” said Schaefer. “But the difference is that we are a team of 22 players and I believe we can get a good result in Singapore.”
Thailand last won the cup in 2002 when it was known as the Tiger Cup. They beat Indonesia in the final to secure their third crown.
But with the advent of Singapore, the Lions won the next two editions in 2004 and also 2007.
In the meantime, Schaefer added that he has had to cancel plans of conducting training at the astro turf belonging to Bangkok Glass FC as he had initially plan.
He said that the risk of injury is too high at this point in the competition and where he feels that the one hour official training at the Jalan Besar Stadium just a day before the match will suffice.
Pix by Thananuwat Srirasant (World Sport Group)
