YANGON (11 Dec 2013) – The midfield will be the key when Thailand take on Indonesia in a crucial Group B encounter tomorrow afternoon at the Youth Training Centre here in Yangon.
With the winner likely to dictate control of the group and brightened their hope of a place in the next round, all bets will be off as Thailand set to battle Indonesia for the full points.
But as both teams admitted today, it is the midfield which will hold the key with the team able to wrest control likely to emerge victorious.
“Both teams have a similar playing style,” said Thai coach Kaittisak Senamuang (left pix). “We both play a lot on the flanks and both have speedy players. But I would like to think that we have that extra quality in the players that we have on our side.
“The game will be close for sure.”
Among the players to look out for in the Thai squad are Adisak Kraisorn, Thitiphan Puangjan and also Pakorn Parmpak.
In the meantime, Indonesian coach Rahmad Darmawan (right pix) echoed the sentiments of the former Thai national striker, that it is the midfield which they will have to dominate if they hope to make the next round of the biennial championship.
Both Indonesia and Thailand have played just one game in the competition, with both having picked up the full three points. Indonesia beat Cambodia 1-0 while Thailand blasted Timor Leste 3-1.
“We have to stop their flanks from getting through, otherwise we will be a tough spot,” added Rahmad. “It is for that reason we have to be tactically disciplined and that the players should not be swayed from the gameplan.”
Among the players to look out for would be the mercurial Andik Vermansyah, Ramdani Lestaluhu and Yandi Munawar.
