Siam Sports: ‘Thailand’s failure was predicted in advance’

“The fact that Thailand received the silver medal was not unexpected, because of the problems in the preparation stage. The fact that the SEA Games were not on the FIFA calendar and the Thai League only ended on May 4, leaving us with only enough troops. in Vietnam two days before the opening match, in addition, the position of the coach also changed, and Mano Polking needed time to bond the players.” Siam Sport analysis.

Also according to this daily, the Thai team attending the 31st SEA Games has not had the best chemistry because of less time to play together. The Football Federation of Thailand (FAT) also had difficulty convincing Thai League clubs to release their troops because of the tight schedule, as well as the fact that the 31st SEA Games was not on FIFA’s schedule.

Start with fail 1-2 Before Malaysia, Thailand still finished at the top of the table and then met Vietnam in the final. On May 22, at My Dinh Stadium, Polking’s team also had a chance, especially in the first half of the second half, but could not take advantage. Towards the end of the game, their defense stood still and watched Nham Manh Dung jump high and hit the bottom edge of the crossbar into the net, helping Vietnam won the gold medal.

At the post-match press conference, Polking reiterated that Thailand did not have much time to prepare before the 31st SEA Games. He made the same point before the opening match against Malaysia. The German military leader also emphasized that Vietnam was methodical, had three months of training and was kicked under the cheers of 40,000 spectators.

In fact, Thailand once intended to send the U19 team to the 31st SEA Games to gain experience under the guidance of coach Worrawoot Srimaka. But in April, FAT changed its mind, summoned the U23 team and three overage players, and then empowered Polking – who made a splash when he helped Thailand beat Vietnam in the semi-finals and then won the AFF championship. Cup 2020.

Siam Sport emphasizing, after the defeat in the SEA Games, Thailand’s most important goal is the 2022 Asian U23 tournament. Here, they will rematch Vietnam in the opening match on June 2. This will be the first tournament U23 Vietnam is no longer led by coach Park Hang-seo. Thailand will also be led by the legendary Worrawoot Srimaka, instead of coach Polking.

On May 23, the newspaper Goal The Thai version posted information that Vietnam had summoned 25 players to prepare for the Asian U23 2022 with the title line: “War elephants are waiting to repay!”. This newspaper also emphasized that Coach Park no longer led Vietnam U23 in this tournament, but transferred the job to compatriot Gong Oh-kyun.

Meanwhile, the sheet Thai Rath commented that coach Srimaka will have more options when convening the squad, because the Asian U23 will take place during the national team break according to FIFA’s schedule. The daily expects the return of Supanat Mueanta, Thanawat Suengchitthawon, Bukkharee Lamdee, Phithak Phimpae, Chitsanuphong Choti, Worawut Sukhuna, Channarong Promsrikaew and Sittichok Paso. Besides that, Thai Rath He also pointed out four names that made a strong impression at the SEA Games and needed to be given opportunities in the next tournament, including Patrik Gustavsson, Ben Davies, Jonathan Khemdee and Chayaphiphat Suphanphat.

However, like Polking at the SEA Games, Srimaka will not have much time to prepare before the Asian U23 tournament – the tournament takes place from June 1 to June 19 in Uzbekistan. Tomorrow Chonburi, Prachuap, Buriram United and Chiang Rai United will play the semi-finals of the Thai League Cup. The final match will take place on May 29, two days before the 2022 AFC U23 Championship kicks off. Siam Sport worried that the Thai players who had to play the Confederation Cup could not recover in time for the opening match against Vietnam. Then, they met Malaysia on June 5 and South Korea on June 8, respectively.

Hong Duy