BANGKOK (28 Nov 2012) – While admitting that Thailand were the better side last night Tin Myint Aung, the assistant coach of Myanmar, said that his team made far too many mistakes which in the end saw them being pummelled 4-0 by the hosts.
Myint Aung said that the loss of concentration cost the team dearly.
“The players should have realised by now that loss of concentration at this level can give us problems. That gave away the win and we have to accept this result,” added Myint Aung.
“Now we have to prepare better for the next game where we have little choice but to beat the Philippines.”
The game was always going to be tough and considering the almost similar style of play, clashes between the two sides were not uncommon which resulted in a handful of yellow cards being flashed by referee Abdul Baqi Yaqoob from Oman.
For Myanmar, their immediate task will be to overcome the Philippines and they will need all available men whether they are on yellow cards or otherwise.
“We have to beat the Philippines. That is our target. We are not even thinking of the semi-finals,” added Myint Aung.
While Myanmar will be figuring out their best offensive strategy against a confident Philippines side, Thailand are already looking ahead to the semi-finals even though they still have the match against Vietnam to play for.
Thai chief coach Winfried Schaefer confirmed that captain Datsakorn Thongloa is receiving treatment for his groin injury where the plan is to rest him for the group match and allow him the chance to play in the semi-finals.
“He is not fit at the moment but whatever it is I want to win no matter what (even though we are already in the semi-finals),” added Schaefer.
“We will play at the same level and even though some players have yellow cards we will use others to come in. I think that we have enough quality on the bench to do that. No problem.”
Pix by Thananuwat Srirasant (World Sport Group)
