Impressions of Thai team's playmaker Narubadin

Thailand has a talented young generation of players in attack such as Supachai Jaided (21 years old), Suphanat Mueanta (18 years old) and Supachok Sarachat (22 years old). But atAFF Cup 2020This time, coach Alexandre Polking has many attacking options from the defense. It is quite surprising that their 2 full-backs have participated in creating 4 of Thailand's 10 goals. This is really a new style of play for Thailand in recent years that we have to pay attention to. The Thai midfield often has the task of causing trouble, stretching the opponent's defense for the full-backs to attack.

Border attack

Defender Narubadin is leading the assist list at the AFF Cup 2020. Photo: FAT

Up to now, after 3 matches being put on the field by coach Alexandre Polking, right-back Narubadin Weerawatnodom has had 3 assists, 2 against Timor-Leste, 1 against Myanmar. The assists of this defender have all been the opening goals for the Thai team. Defender Narubadin (born in 1994) is currently playing for the Thai Premier League club Buriram United. The 27-year-old's excellence has pushed T.Do, a naturalized French player, to the bench. Narubadin has played for the U19 and U23 Thailand teams and has had 56 appearances for the national team, a player who has faced the Vietnamese team many times.

When taking charge of the Thai team, coach Polking decided to play with 2 formations 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. The common point of these 2 formations is that the 2 full-backs Narubadin Weerawatnodom and T.Bunmathan (3) are allowed to move up to put pressure on the opponent's field. Under coach Polking, the Thai team has very good wing attacks, the defenders often carry the ball and rush straight into the opponent's 16.5m area. The Brazilian team is a master of the 4-4-2 formation and this country has produced many famous full-backs such as Cafu, Roberto Carlos, of course coach Polking is a good user of this tactical formation.

Opposite wing T.Bunmathan is the best left-back in the AFF Cup 2020, attacking and defending rhythmically and also having 1 assist. This season, he has played 27 out of 38 matches for Yokohama, which is in second place in the J1.League championship. Because the teams are busy dealing with the left wing occupied by T.Bunmathan, Narubadin Weerawatnodom has the opportunity to shine.

Narubadin the Creator

Defender Narubadin's assists were the opening goals for the Thai team. Photo: FAT.

The right wing of the Thai team is very strong with the appearance of 21-year-old player Thanawat Suengchitthawon (12). The playing style of young talent Thanawat, who is playing for U23 Leicester City, focuses on speed and strength but is no less technical, helping Narubadin have more space on the right wing. People will see Van Thanh and Quang Hai confront the duo Thanawat and Narubadin, and the winner will create a certain advantage for the home team.

The attacking triangle of Dangda, Thanawat, Narubadin coordinated very well and it was Narubadin who assisted Dangda to score a beautiful goal against Myanmar. Obviously, with someone who has played in 5 AFF Cups like Dangda, Thanawat and Narubadin have the opportunity to shine. How to limit Narubadin's attacking power is a problem that Coach Park and the Vietnamese coaching staff will have to calculate.

Vietnam's defense is considered the most solid in the AFF Cup 2020. Meanwhile, coach Alexandre Polking and his team have the best scorer in the AFF Cup 2020 (Dangda, 4 goals) and the best assist maker in the tournament (Narubadin, 3 goals). We will have to wait and see who will win this fateful confrontation.