Thai press strongly criticizes coach Akira Nishino

The information about the Vietnamese national team's defense falling into crisis when Van Hau, Nguyen Trong Hoang and Tran Dinh Trong are definitely absent; Do Duy Manh is also playing with pain and has flown back to Bangkok, the chances of the Thai team winning are increased. Because of that, Thai newspapers strongly criticized coach Akira Nishino for only choosing 2 strikers in the preliminary list of 33 players.

5 goalkeepers but only 2 strikers

SMM Sports is concerned that instead of calling quality names for the attack, Mr. Nishino only called up 2 strikers, one of whom is almost "unknown" to Thai fans. Ironically, the list of the Thai National Team also includes... 5 goalkeepers, including Kavin Thammasajanan, Siwarak Tedsungnoen, Apirak Worawong, Chatchai Butprom and Kornpatnaree Chan.

Southeast Asian experts are looking forward to the match between the two coaches. Photo: FAT.

“Does Thailand lack names that can play as strikers?” Because in the 33 players, besides 5 goalkeepers, there are 10 defenders and 16 midfielders but only 2 strikers are responsible for scoring goals to win all matches in Group G.

Teerasil Dangda is the name that is mentioned the most by the Thai press. The 31-year-old player has a lot of experience in facing Vietnam and is in good physical condition. In addition, there is also striker Apiwat Pengprakon, who is playing very well in the Thai League with 7 goals but still has not been called up to the national team this time. This makes experts surprised because a player who plays regularly and has so much potential is not on the list.

It is a surprise that the "veteran" was not called up, but the "prodigy" Suphanat Mueanta, who is shining in Buriram United's shirt, was not called up to the national team. The star born in 2001 was present when Thailand played against Vietnam in the King's Cup, and in the domestic tournament, he also contributed 7 goals after 18 appearances, which are impressive numbers.

In the preliminary list of the Thai team, coach Akira Nishino called 5 goalkeepers but only 2 strikers. Photo: FAT

SMM continued to question: “Mr. Nishino even ignored the “prodigy” Suphanat Mueanta. This young talent is playing very well at Buriram United and is supported by Thai fans, but Mr. Nishino must think he is too young to be called up to the national team.”

The media was quite surprised when Chananan Pombubpha, a virtually "unknown" player with only 1 goal in the Thai League 2019, was chosen by the Japanese coach. Only a few Thai writers said that the preliminary list was a sign of the new tactical system that the Japanese coach wanted to apply to the Thai team.

New stone path

Perhaps the fact that Mr. Nishino called up 16 midfielders and many players in good form is a condition for the Japanese coach to build a playing style based on versatile players for many purposes.

The 26-year-old creative midfielder has scored four goals for Consadole Sapporo and was recently named in the J.League's best XI of the 23rd round alongside Andres Iniesta. The duo Thitiphan Puangjan (Oita Trinita) and Theerathon Bunmathan (Yokohama F. Marinos) are both starting for their respective J.League clubs.

"Mr. Nishino must be trying something new in his own way," wrote SMM. Photo: FAT

When calling up the national team, coach Akira Nishino paid close attention to the overall performance of the clubs in the Thai League. It was not until Muangthong revived and rose to 6th place that 4 names were called up.

“Mr. Nishino must be trying something new in his own way. By calling up many midfielders who are in good form, Thailand will likely build a midfield-based style of play to maximize the players’ abilities,” SMM concluded.