THAILAND TO LEAVE OUT TOP STARS AGAINST TIMOR

In the last two matches, Timor had already conceded 18 goals as scoring just one – a 14-0 loss against Malaysia and then a 4-1 defeat to Cambodia last night.

But other than that fact, Thai coach Steve Darby said that the main reason for leaving out their top players was due to the several injuries the players sustained during their bruising encounter against Vietnam in the first group game.

Skipper Kiatprawut Saiwaew is nursing a foot injury while striker Teerasil Dangda is out with a pulled ligament although the duo should be fit and ready for the match against Malaysia on 11 Dec.

Darby said the other players like Suttinun Pukhom, Teerathorn Bunmathan and Apipoo Suntornpanavej who have been struggling with some niggling injuries will make the match against Timor Leste.

The rest day in between matches allowed Thailand to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 82nd birthday which was also Thailand’s Father’s Day.

“It was an important day because it was the King’s 82nd birthday,” said Darby.

“I’m thrilled by the respect the Thai people show His Majesty. I wanted my players to take a rest and call back home and talk to their fathers.”