THAIS MAKE FINAL FOR THE FOURTH TIME
BANGKOK (Jan 28, 2007) - Favourites Thailand sauntered into the
final of the Asean Football Championship by playing Vietnam to a
scoreless draw in their second leg, semi-final at the Supachalasai
Stadium tonight.
Thailand will meet Singapore in the final of the championship which
is to be played in the first leg in Singapore on Wednesday and in
Bangkok on Feb 4.
Taking a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Hanoi last Wednesday,
the Thais weathered intermittent spells of pressure from the
Vietnamese in the first half of the second leg which set the
pattern for the rest of the game.
The Thais played their iconic skipper Kiatisuk Senamuang despite
the latter nursing ankle and hip injuries that showed in his
relative ineffectiveness until he had to be replaced on 79th
minutes by Khwanchai Phuangprkob.
THAILAND COACH CHANVIT PHALAJIVIN
A lot of our players were tired. I am happy with the result. Our
players created several chances but they could not score. For the
final we will have to improve our finishing, said Chanvit
Phalajivin, the head coach of Thailand.
We played an attacking game but a bit safe as several players were
tired and a bit injured (and could not play to their full ability)
like Kiatisuk Senamuang. I am happy with the result. We had a lot
of chances but could not score. Our finishing must be better in the
final (against Singapore). We had so many chances but could not
score. Sarayoot Chaikamdee missed several chances from inside the
box.
We will be travelling to Singapore tomorrow or on Tuesday. We have
one or two days to rest and one of them will be spent travelling.
The team need rest - massage and physio. Vietnam played very good
football today but like us could not score.
