Asian Cup 2019: Thailand (Preview)

Returning to the Asian Cup after a 12-year absence, Thailand can look back on a productive cycle, that generated a pool of talent that was all set to put South East Asian football on the map. However, with raised expectations and some damaging recent results, comes a retreat to a more defensive mentality which could see a thoroughly watered-down product in the UAE. With their star players set to return in time for January, can they help influence a change in the team’s fortunes?

Thailand’s record at the Asian Cup is pretty dire, given the circumstances they find themselves in today. Only once have they passed the group stages, but that was at their home tournament, back in 1972. Since then, one win from fifteen matches since 1992 has well and truly shackled The War Elephants to the outer edges of international Asian football. 

With such a meagre history of contesting on the continental stage, the job achieved in qualification by former player turned coach Kiatisuk Senamuang was nothing short of remarkable. While steamrolling along regionally (winning back-to-back Suzuki Cups in 2014 & 2016), Kiatisuk’s Thailand shocked Asian Cup semi-finalists Iraq, in topping their Asian Cup qualifying group, before pushing the likes of Saudi Arabia and Australia in the early proceedings of final World Cup qualification.

The very fact that he was forced out thanks to criticism of below par performances in the final round, should illustrate the expectations he’d risen over his tenure. The squad of players groomed over qualification are tentatively being coined as the Thai “golden generation”, and despite concerns over the team itself ever really living up to that moniker, individual players have burnt through their own path to live up to the billing.

In the last year, the golden trio of Chanathip Songkrasin, Teerasil Dangda and Theerathon Bunmathan all made the loan move to Japan, a noticeable change to their predominantly home based squad, not only to make up the numbers, or to draw in the crowds, but to compete and excel. Chanathip in particular, after a fine season with Consadole Sapporo, has sealed his permanent future in the J.League, impressing enough to be nominated for the league’s top performer across the season.

The rise of all three championed a positive style of play Kiatisuk encouraged throughout the side. An attacking, wing back system, that saw Thailand at their very best, rip through weaker teams on quick counters, but also stretch and pose questions of those established nations, something rarely seen from a Thai side to date. Chanathip’s burst of energy whilst in possession scared opponents, while the delivery from Theerathon from the left, and Tristan Do from the right, kept lone man Teerasil busy with goal scoring opportunities.

One thing Thailand wasn’t, was ever cautious. In the end, that was Kiatisuk’s undoing, thus a more defensive coach Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac was brought in to steady the ship. As I preluded upon his appointment a year ago, initial concerns brought up from his previous roles came to fruition. Immediately he bolstered the defence, filing back to a back four (sometimes consisting of four natural centre halves), while cutting out the then inspiring Tristan Do, who has rarely featured under Rajevac since, and clipping Theerathon’s attacking performances, sometimes deploying him in midfield.

The set up is now reminiscent of where we used to pit Thailand. A stubborn side on the fringes, looking to make best off infrequent attacking opportunities, but crucially keeping the door shut behind them. Out have gone the exuberance and invention of old, in came stability, to manage attacks patiently and minimise risks. Perfect for a technical disadvantage that may have come later at the Asian Cup, but something that has slowly saw them lose ground regionally, a place where they have regularly bossed proceedings.

A semi-final exit in the last few weeks to Malaysia in their Suzuki Cup title retention bid was nothing short of humiliating for a nation that has dominated so much recently. They weren’t just beaten, it could have been by much more. A competition Thai fans had grown accustomed to winning, has now been set back to yet another tournament Thailand were struggling to exude their influence on. While Rajevac was hamstrung somewhat in not being able to select the Japanese based trio, Thailand managed to cobble together a squad stiff enough to mount a serious challenge that regrettably didn’t occur.

Of the few positives that came from the tournament, defensive stability was clearly on show, one area Rajevac and his employers can point to as a step up from that under Kiatisuk. Individually, the performances of 20-year-old forward Supachai Jaided will have also caught the eye. Even if he does only offer a substitute option in the Emirates, the Buriram forward, proved to be an unpredictable option out wide, that worked nicely to balance the side’s structured approach towards goal.

Similarly, the goalscoring exploits of Adisak Kraisorn were back on show. The lone front man remains an underwhelming prospect in Asian football, that promised so much early on, to go on to suffer from countless injury setbacks and a lack of form that has hampered his progress to date. The change of management may in the end prove beneficial for him, excelling more in individual moments rather than attacking flow, the striker’s aerial ability and initiative to come alive in the box has already proven to be a successful starting block for Rajevac’s attacking play.

Thailand travel to the UAE, in a group they should be progressing from – already framing this as potentially their most successful tournament away from home in their history. Drawn alongside the hosts, India and Bahrain will see Thailand start as considered favourites along with UAE for progression, yet with the last month lacking energy and attacking thought, could Thailand become the first of the shock casualty of the Asian Cup?

Key Men

Head Coach - Milovan Rajevac (SRB)

Stepped into the breach of legendary player and coach Kiatisuk Senamuang to restore parity in qualification but failed to clinch a victory to end the cycle. Has returned Thailand to a typical 442/4231 formation, setting up in a more defensive approach than in previous years. Has a chequered managerial past, including short spells in charge of Qatar and Algeria.

Star Player - Chanathip Songkrasin

The most talented player in recent Thai footballing history, who’s transitioned his home form overseas with a successful move to Consadole Sapporo in Japan. “Jay” has the capability of featuring centrally or out wide, with pace and trickery to out think, rather than out muscle his opponents, given his diminutive 5ft 2in stature. After star of the tournament awards regionally, the Asian Cup marks the biggest test of his quality.

Returning to Form - Adisak Kraisorn

Physical striker, who has wrestled with injury knock backs to come into the tournament in great form but has plenty of critics to turnaround. Top scorer at the recent Suzuki Cup, Adisak recorded a double hat-trick against Timor-Leste in the group stage. A clever out ball, he provides a direct alternative to Teersail at the point of the Thailand attack.

Young Prospect - Supachai Jaided

Fledgling striker, who is an unpredictable threat from out wide, was one of the few players to further his case for an Asian Cup call up, with three goals in the Suzuki Cup group stage. The 20-year-old has been in and out since breaking through to the Buriram United first team but looks to have nailed down a starting birth domestically in the last month of the season.

WC Qualifying Review (Round 3 MD5)

We have reached the half way point of the final round of World Cup Qualification in Asia, and consequently are about to start a long (northern hemisphere) winter break that’ll stretch right through until March. In that regard, there were plenty of manager’s sweating it out, that their employment wouldn’t stretch into the new year, with Mahdi Ali (UAE), Vahid Halilhodzic (Japan) and Uli Stielike (Korea Republic), all in the firing line if they slipped up. In the end all three found the result they were looking for, but that’s hardly a guarantee in two of their cases, given their public image at present.

Back with the football itself, here are my player, team and talking point of the round, ahead of a lengthy 4 month gap. What is for certain, each team will go into this break with at least a few questions of their side going forward.

The Player

This round of matches in the end were all about Thailand. From underneath a solemn cloud following the death of King Bhumibol last month, an emotional draw at home to Australia will universally go down well in the country. Amidst what was by definition a team performance, striker Teerasil Dangda stood out, not only for his two goals that threatened to steal all three points from the Asian champions no less, but for his all-round contribution.

Facing Australia, arguably the best all round team in Asia was their toughest assignment so far, however through the passion and tactical master plan of coach Kiatisuk Senamuang they could’ve easily won, rather than taking just their first point of Round 3. Despite only being 28, Teerasil was the old head amongst an up and coming young bunch of players, and defended from the front immediately. His first goal illustrated his predatory instincts to float offside before pouncing in the second phase, to nip past Maty Ryan and slot home for Thailand’s equaliser.

For his second, showing his cool edge, he slotted away a second half penalty to well up the packed Rajamangala National Stadium. A perfect result tainted later on by the Socceroos equaliser, but this more than a result this was a country coming together through football. The team itself is building up well also, spearheaded by the likes of Teerasil and Adisak Kraisorn, who was absent through injury for this one; they are going in the right direction. Going into next week’s Suzuki Cup, Thailand and Teerasil will look to retain their trophy in the late King’s memory.

The Team

In a round where Thailand hogged much of the positive spotlight, much could be lost around the progression of fellow Group A competitors UAE, who moved within 1 point of top spot with a comfortable win over Iraq on Tuesday. The Emirati national side have won 3 from their 5 matches in this round, but have been highly scorned for being too stuck in their ways, put squarely on the head of coach Mahdi Ali, who finishes the year with yet more uncertainty hanging over him.

For me, Ali has been one of the most consistent coaches in Asia over the last 5 years. Qualification for the 2012 Olympics, an Asian Cup bronze, and as it stands a solid campaign to qualify for Russia in 2018, however fans are looking for more. There were contradictory reports that Tuesday’s match would’ve been Ali’s last in charge, something that has been swiftly denied by the FA, but given where they stand at this current time, would a change really help their cause?

While the match barely saw UAE get out of 3rd gear, the hallmarks of their recent rise were all there to be seen. Ahmed Khalil scored his 15th goal of the campaign, the highest of anyone in qualification, and what a goal it was, thundering past Mohammed Hameed at his near post. There was a well-crafted assist for Ali Mabkhout later on, and a return to his domineering best for Mohanad Salem in defence. All it missed was an Omar Abdulrahman wonder show, but we can’t have that every week, can we?

The Talking Point

It was a strange international week for Qatar, a week where fans of the national team are left thinking whether they should be positive or frustrated. An almost historic 2-1 victory over 2018 World Cup hosts Russia on the previous Thursday was a bolt of light; they played on the attacking foot, controlling possession and offering bodies and plenty of movement in attack. When it came to their qualifier in Kunming against China however, the strategy had changed, which in the long run looks to have derailed any glimmer of hope left in this qualification round.

Going into the match, the press conference talk pumped up a positive approach from the Qataris. They needed the victory, as did their hosts, anything less and they’d continue to be way off the pace going into the second half of Round 3. Instead we saw a return to the defensive 5221 formation that was deployed against Korea Republic in Seoul last month, a worthy set up when going for a draw, but given the circumstances and the shakiness of the opposition, should they have gone for more?

Granted suspensions to Ahmed Yasser and Abdelkarim Hassan in particular meant for a forced personnel shake up, but we were left short changed by the non-appearance of Akram Afif off the bench for the duration against China. It was clear that this result was what was required by boss Jorge Fossati, who will assumingly now return to their former more balanced approach when facing Korea at home next month. While the optimistic bubble created by Fossati’s appointment hasn’t burst just yet, on the back of an uninspiring draw with the group’s bottom side, it’s now a tad deflated.

AFC International Week Focus (June)

It’s been more than 14 months since Asia’s elite nations last had the chance to test their metal with the World’s best in international friendlies, in that time of course we’ve raced through Round 2 of World Cup/Asian Cup qualification, finding out the final 12 in the race for Russia 2018. Alongside this window which saw the very best compete against some of Europe’s finest, of course preparing for their very own continental tournament, we also saw some inter-regional clashes in friendly tournaments and some competitive action for Asia’s minnows facing off in the first round of Asian Cup qualification playoffs.

Asia's Top 10 Friendlies

2014's World Cup was the clearest reminder of how Asia has fallen behind the rest of the world. From now on, if a major Asian nation with World Cup qualification aspirations isn't organising friendlies with Europe's elite during international windows, it's broadly seen as a missed opportunity. Australia have been at the forefront of this, after successfully drawing with Germany last year. This time it was less successful in terms of the results, but again Ange Postecoglou's side came out of their three fixtures with plenty of credit and admiring glances, suggesting a real improvement from 2015's Asian Cup victory.

A narrow defeat to England (1-2) was followed up with a win (1-0) and a defeat (1-2) at home to Greece. Every match had it's positives and negatives, while Postecoglou rolled out both 433/442-diamond formations that have become expected to followers of the Socceroos, while there were numerous debutants with varying levels of success. The next stage as the coach stated himself is to ensure more of his players are moving, and playing regularly in Europe, primed directly at midfielder Aaron Mooy who's likely to leave Melbourne City this summer.

Elsewhere the greatest success story of the week came through Iran, who recorded back to back victories against Macedonia (3-1) and Kyrgyzstan (6-0). Hardly the kind of tests they'd desired, given their Croatia friendly fell through late on, but it was another decent opportunity to illustrate their attacking capabilities, Sardar Azmoun in particular impressing with four goals over the week.

It was a very up and down week for Korea Republic followers, initially getting smashed 6-1 to European champions Spain, before redeeming themselves somewhat with a 2-1 win over Czech Republic. The first result will however linger long in the memory, as this match was promoted as Korea's chance to illustrate how far they'd come under Uli Stielike, having not lost since their Asian Cup final appearance last January. The loss was greeted with disdain, some comparing it to the country's most embarrassing defeat in their history, something that needs to evaporate quickly ahead of their World Cup qualification return.

Also this week, China PR predictably opted to stay at home, as they've been known to for year's of international windows, mainly due to their lack of European based talent. Hence their opposition was at a weaker level, with established nations warming up for their respective continental tournaments. A 4-2 victory over Trinidad & Tabago followed by a shock loss to Kazakhstan does little in inspiring the nation however, especially given their limp progression to WCQ Round 3 in March. Amidst the disappointment strikers Jiang Ning and Zhang Yuning helped their causes with promising displays against T&T. The former notched his fourth in three starts since his return from three years away from the national team setup, while the latter scored a brace and laid on another for Jiang on his debut.

In Kirin Cup action, the first edition of the tournament that included more than two teams taking part in it for 5 years, hosts Japan broadly met current expectations. Facing European sides free from Euro 2016 commitments. Japan waltzed past Bulgaria 7-2, underlining their ability to fly past teams who they dominate possession against, before losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 in the final, illustrating some of the same shortfalls that have been present for a while. One being the lack of fighting spirit or physical grit needed to compete against other continents, highlighted by coach Vahid Halilhodzic. It remains the same old story sadly.

Finally, considering the one off friendlies of Asia's elite, Uzbekistan who had their friendly against Equatorial Guinea cancelled earlier in the week went on to taste defeat against Canada in their encounter in Austria, while Qatar, who also traveled to central Europe, despite a promising opening went on to lose 3-1 against Euro 2016 qualified but considerable outsiders Albania.

King’s Cup

Thailand's King's Cup, a regular friendly tournament usually a place for Youth team experimentation felt a much more worthwhile venture this year with fellow WCQ Round 3 qualified nations UAE and Syria alongside a continental Top 10 side Jordan. For one it allowed an interesting look at those outsiders for World Cup qualification, but for another it pitted the West of Asia against Thailand in the East Asians back yard. 

The Thais became eventual victors first avoiding a scare against Syria in the semis, initially losing a 2-0 lead before progressing on penalties, while in the final they eased past Jordan 2-0 for their first title in the event since 2007. Jordan themselves will be happy with their efforts given their devastating exit in World Cup qualification in March, while rebuilding under a home coach such as current caretaker Abdullah Abu Zema, already illustrates the benefits of not extending Harry Redknapp's brief spell in the national team hot seat.

Syria bounced back from defeat on penalties to Thailand by clinching third over UAE. National pride was at stake, if nothing else given both nations were missing key players, however results such as these do offer hope that Syrian expectations in WCQ don't necessarily need to be so low.

AYA Bank Cup

Elsewhere in the region, Myanmar hosted the inaugural AYA Bank Cup in Yangon. Vietnam who made it through to the final with a penalty shoot out win over Hong Kong, clinched the title with style easing past Singapore 3-0 in the final. For the losers it was another disappointing week of football. They did clinch a debut victory for incoming boss Varadaraju Sundramoorthy, however they did do it against the run of play against the hosts in the semi-finals.

Overall it was a case of what could have been for Myanmar, often regarded as a minnow of South East Asian football, they more than competed once again. After cruelly being beaten by Singapore in the semis they eased past Hong Kong 3-0 to clinch third. All four East Asian nations will take part in Asian Cup Qualification Round 3 when the group state returns in March. 

Asian Cup Qualification Playoffs

Speaking of ACQ Round 3, there were still 8 places to be decided, to be determined over two rounds of home/away playoffs, the first of which took place this week. Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Tajikistan and Yemen all clinched their place in March's group stage, while the losers will be given another chance to redeem themselves when they join Bhutan in September/October's second batch of playoffs.

The first tie between Cambodia and Chinese Taipei was broadly seen as a match up of two of the worst sides from WCQ Round 2, however provided one the most entertaining ties of the week. Cambodia's successful 4-2 on aggregate victory after initially clinching a 2-2 draw away in Taiwan can be attributed to a fantastic home support in excess of 50,000 in Phnom Penh. Keo Sokpheng stood out in particular over both matches as a talented wide midfielder, in what was a heated battle on and off the ball.

India went someway to proving their doubters wrong with a comprehensive 7-1 aggregate win over Laos, including a 6-1 thrashing upon their return home. There was much needed hope in the goal scoring department, something they've relied upon for so long from ageing central striker Sunil Chhetri. A possible successor is within their midst, Jeje Lalpekhlua scored the decisive goal in Vientiane before opening the scoring back in Guwahati.

Effective back-to-back home legs for Malaysia produced the same result, two 3-0 wins over Timor-Leste that assured their progression. While Malaysia looked a side back in full confidence, the state of East Timorese football continues to fall to a new low. Another example of putting their faith in either ageing Brazilian born nationalised players or local teenagers continues to falter. It often looks like a financial situation that contradicts its self, assuming they are paying considerable amounts to fly in Brazilian talent from their club bases across Asia, however they continue to lack the relevant resources, again turning up in fake knockoff Adidas kits for the matches.

On a more pleasing note, Tajikistan look a side that are moving quickly up the gears at the bottom of Asia's international game. A 6-0 aggregate win over Bangladesh was conquered in relatively comfortable fashion, almost branding the return leg in Dhaka as a dead rubber, and so it was played like. They'll go into March's next round of qualification in high hopes, in practice they shouldn't have got themselves in such a state that they needed to go through the playoffs, however the fact they witnessed competitive football during this window will only aid their preparation going forward.

Finally, Yemen lived up to what I've been hoping of them over the last few years, recording dual 2-0 victories "home" and away against Maldives. Their island nation opponents were still getting to grips with losing Ali Ashfaq to impending retirement, while injury would've ruled him out anyway here, while Yemen finally replicated their proficiency in defence in clinical style in front of goal. Their victory ensured that only East Asian sides are left at the wrong end of Asian pyramid, as the next round of playoffs approach.