BANGKOK (22 Dec 2014) – Shortly after landing his ASEAN crown as a manager following the first title he won as a player in 1996, Thai coach Kiatisak Senamuang said that he would like to help raise the standard of football in the region.
Thailand edged Malaysia 4-3 on aggregate over the two-legged finals that were played in Bangkok and then Kuala Lumpur.
“I want to help raise the standard of football in ASEAN,” said Kiatisak. “I spoke to Dollah (Salleh from Malaysia) and also Aide (Iskandar from) about it. I told them that we need to play more positive football and be more attack minded.
“The ASEAN Championship is very good but at the same time, we should also look to Asia and beyond. We must grow together and challenge the other teams in the world.
Kiatisak said that he took a big risk by using young players from the U23 team for the AFF Suzuki Cup. But with the team having won the SEA Games last year and then putting up a good show at the Asian Games a few months, it was a calculated risk that paid off handsomely.
“This team will be playing at the SEA Games in Singapore and also the World Cup qualifiers,” added Kiatisak. “Of course there will be a few additions.”
