Thailand team offers big bonus when facing Malaysia, Vietnam

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) believes that Vietnam will have difficulty hosting the UAE. Therefore, FAT wants a favorable result when playing against host Malaysia at Bukit Jalil Stadium before going to My Dinh Stadium to meet the Vietnamese team.

The Unprecedented

FAT realized one thing, although being the top team in Southeast Asia, since 2014, Thailand has never won against Malaysia at Bukit Jalil Stadium. The last time was at the AFF Cup 2018, the War Elephants drew 0-0 away and drew 2-2 at home and were painfully eliminated from the final.

Ekanit Panya is Thailand's mystery man. Photo: FAT

Thai media commented that the Vietnam - UAE teams have had 6 encounters in different tournaments (1 win, 1 draw, 4 losses). UAE is dominating as the team with more wins, so at My Dinh Stadium, the most the Vietnam team can get is 1 point.

That is also the reason why FAT and coach Nishino are determined to break Thailand's streak of not winning. Having 3 points will be a springboard for "conquering" My Dinh in the key match in Group G with the Vietnamese team. Not to mention the possibility of empty-handedness, only a draw at Bukit Jalil Stadium will inadvertently give the Vietnamese team the initiative to advance.

According to calculations by the Thai media, the UAE team just lost 1-2 to Thailand, forcing them to save their strength to win against the host Vietnam at My Dinh Stadium. Thailand will not sit back and watch the tigers fight, but will take the opportunity to fight for 3 points and separate from the group. If they earn 6 points in 2 away matches, there is a 90% chance that they will be in the first 2 positions of the second qualifying round.

Currently, Thailand is currently leading Group G but only has a better goal difference than Vietnam so they can lose the top spot at any time. Meanwhile, coach Tan Cheng-Hoe has declared that he is ready for the big match with Thailand. After 3 matches with only 3 points, Mr. Tan Cheng-Hoe understands that if he does not get 3 points in the match against Thailand, the chance to continue will be almost closed.

So in the 2 home matches, the Malaysian team is determined to defeat both Thailand and Indonesia to continue to nurture hope in Group G. Mr. Tan Cheng-Hoe really needs a victory to create psychological momentum before welcoming Indonesia. It is certain that Thailand will not easily get a point leaving Bukit Jalil, let alone win.

President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), Somyot Poompanmoung: "We must do everything we can to beat Vietnam".

For a long time, when facing teams from Southeast Asia, the Football Association of Thailand has not had the habit of offering bonuses, because the Thais believe that their level has reached the continent. Winning against countries in the region is a given, so there is no such thing as offering bonuses before the match.

Thai media said that if the reward of about 8 million Baht was offered for a win at Bukit Jalil, then FAT would certainly offer a record reward for a win at My Dinh. Thai people believe that not Malaysia or Indonesia but the Vietnamese team is the biggest opponent in Group G.

Psychological blow

While Mr. Park is being secretive, only putting 5 national players on the short list to choose 2 players over 22 years old to attend SEA Games 30, the Japanese strategist announced the selection of 4 players Supachai Chaided, Supachok Sarachat, Suphanat Mueanta and Ekanit Panya to go to the Philippines.

This is considered a move to encourage the spirit of the young Thai players and a psychological blow for U22 Vietnam. Because Supachok Sarachat and Ekanit Panya are the 2 players chosen as the best players in the 3 matches of the Thai team in the 2020 World Cup qualifiers.

If they get a favorable result at My Dinh Stadium, Supachai Chaided, Supachok Sarachat, Suphanat Mueanta and Ekanit Panya will have confidence when meeting U22 Vietnam at SEA Games 30 even though they do not use 2 players over 22 years old.

It seems that FAT has prepared quite early to reclaim the number 1 position in Southeast Asian football from Mr. Park and the Vietnamese team.