AFF Cup 2018 Semi-Finals: Malaysia - "all or nothing"

At the AFF Cup (2008, 2012 and 2014), the teams of Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand all drew 0-0 in the first leg and won the second leg. Even in the 2014 AFF Cup second leg in Bangkok, Thailand beat the Philippines 3-0. Only in the 2007 AFF Cup, after drawing 1-1 in Malaysia, Singapore continued to draw 1-1 at home but in the end, Singapore still won 5-4 on penalties to reach the final.

Coach Rajevac learns the word "patience"

Although he is a coach from Europe, Coach Rajevac has had a pragmatic strategy from the group stage to the semi-final match at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. When he realized that he could not defeat his opponent at home, he advocated playing low, parking the bus in front of the goal, waiting for the decisive blow at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

Coach Rajevac had a pragmatic strategy from the group stage to the semi-final match at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Internet

What surprised people in the first leg was that with 4 attacking players, including Adisak Kraisorn, Nurul Sriyankem, Supachai Jaided and Sanrawat Dechmitr, the Thais were so "humble" to their opponents.

Striker duo Adisak Kraisorn and Supachai Jaided have scored 11 goals in the tournament. In addition, midfielder Sanrawat Dechmitr also has 4 assists and 11 key-passes, the most in the tournament.

Coach Rajevac needs to work with the central midfield pair Thitipan Puangchan and Tanaboon Kesarat who lost their midfield when facing Malaysian players who played rough and dirty without being punished.

"Harimau Malaya" always has the referee advantage when playing on Malaysian soil, which is almost an unwritten rule, because Malaysia is the headquarters of both the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF), although football officials in the region and continent are more or less influenced by Malaysian football.

Coach Tan Cheng Hoe is a coach who prefers an attacking style of play. Malaysia recently had an attacking match from the beginning until the referee blew the final whistle at My Dinh. It must be said that the young Malaysian players did not play too badly, their weakness was scoring goals.

So far, after 5 matches, only 2 Malaysian players have scored (Norshahrul Idlan Talaha 4 goals and Zaquan Adha Radzak 3 goals), although in Group A, Tan Cheng Hoe's team only faced weak opponents (except Vietnam). Malaysia's biggest weakness is the lack of factors capable of creating breakthroughs, so they depend too much on a few individuals.

Meanwhile, after 5 matches, Thailand is considered the team with the strongest attack in the AFF Cup 2018. Of the 15 goals, main striker Adisak Kraison has 8 goals, young talent of the Golden Temple football Supachai Jaided has 3 goals, Hemviboon has 2 goals, Pokkhao Anan has 1 goal.

Thailand's goals are varied, from counter-attacks, breakthroughs, set pieces and long-range shots. At Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, on the way to the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2018, Thai players suffocated opponents Indonesia and Singapore with stormy attacking football.

“We have prepared all options for the big match ahead, even if the two teams have to settle the score in a penalty shootout. Winning is the only goal that Thailand is aiming for. In Bukit Jalil we did not play well, but at home it will be different. Thailand will try to score as many goals as possible," said Mr. Rajevac.

GambleBangkok

Experts believe that, with the away goal rule, to reach the final, coach Tan Cheng Hoe should gamble "all or nothing". Accordingly, Malaysia will proactively attack Thailand, aiming to score on the opponent's field, putting the Golden Temple team at a psychological disadvantage if they concede first.

In addition to the fact that the Golden Temple team is stronger than Malaysia in terms of strength, the statistical history of the AFF Cup shows that 4 away teams, after having the advantage of drawing in the first leg of the semi-finals, all won the final. Photo: Internet

It is believed that if the home team Thai players are allowed to play the game as they wish, there will be almost no chance of scoring. Thai players have enough courage and experience to control Malaysia's style of play, enough experience to force Malaysia to not play as the Malaysian team wishes.

The reigning Southeast Asian champions have their strongest squad to welcome Malaysia, with all players at 100% fitness. Meanwhile, Malaysia has not been able to show their ability in away matches, even against hosts Cambodia and Vietnam.

An Thanh