BANGKOK (20 Dec 2012) – Thai chief coach Winfried Schaefer believes that his team can still come back from the two goals deficit they suffered from the first-leg, finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup and lift their first ever crown in ten years.
The German tactician admitted that while his team made some mistakes in the 3-1 loss to Singapore in mid-week, it is nothing that they cannot recover from when the two side clash again in the second-leg, finals at the Supachalasai Stadium in two days.
“The result is not a problem,” said Schaefer. “In the second match (on Saturday), we will change the game and the result. It was important that we managed to score in Singapore. So we will have a chance for the return leg.”
Thailand, the overwhelming favourites for the crown this year, did not drop a game in the group stage or in the semi-finals when they dumped defending champions Malaysia.
But their loss to Singapore last night has dented Thailand’s seemingly invincible exterior where there are now serious questions being asked as to whether they can stage a comeback against an opponent who are in confident mode.
“I have trust in my team,” added Schaefer. “Playing on an artificial pitch was difficult for us but it’s okay. We will have another 90 minutes to change things and in Bangkok, things will be different.
“We have time for regeneration and we know how to play against them.”
Pix by World Sport Group
