Schaefer to rest key players

Thai reserves given chance against Vietnam

With a semi-final spot already assured, Thailand coach Winfried Schaefer is set to ring the changes against Vietnam in the final group match of the Asean Football Championship today.

Three-time champions Thailand are the only side with two wins from two matches in the eight-team tournament, with their opening 2-1 win over the Philippines followed by a 4-0 demolition of Myanmar on Tuesday.

The Thais' performances have done much to expunge memories of the debacle in 2010, when they exited the biennial tournament without a single win, failing to reach the knockout stages for only the second time.

Schaefer's side tops the standings with six points, followed by surprise-package the Philippines on three, with 2008 winners Vietnam only ahead of Myanmar on goal difference.

The perfect start allows the German to rest key players for the Vietnam game, and avoid the danger of suspensions for the semis.

"We have players such as Panupong [Wongsa], Chonlatit [Jantakam] and Adul [Lahsoh] who are on yellow cards, while Pichitpong [Choeichiu] will serve his suspension for picking up a second yellow," said Schaefer.

"Datsakorn [Thonglao] is not yet ready for the match and I want to save him for the next round. And our keeper Sinthaweechai [Hathairattanakool] has a cold.

"So, we won't take risks with these players' health - it would be better to keep them fresh for the semi-finals. We will make changes to the team for Tuesday's game.

"Players like Kirati [Keawsombat], Sompong [Soleb], Arthit [Sunthornphit] and Chanathip [Songkrasin] will get their chance, while Pipob [On-mo] is not fully fit so he will maybe get a chance in the second half."

The 62-year-old stressed that his players would be playing to win even though a draw would be enough to guarantee top spot and home advantage for the second leg of the semi-final.

"The Vietnamese are still a good team. We need to perform at the same level as we did against Burma and Philippines. We must give 100 per cent for the whole 90 minutes. I don't like the taste of defeat.

"I want a victory. I believe our reserve players are just as good [as the first-team players]. This is their chance to prove that. That's why I'm confident we can still win the game despite not using our regulars."

All four teams in Group B, including defending champions Malaysia, are still in contention for semi-finals spots, and Schaefer insisted he had no preference over who Thailand faced in the last four.

"We don't know which team will qualify, as they all have a chance of making it. All of them are strong, so we must just focus on our own game. My team will be ready to face any of them."

Thailand play Vietnam at Rajamangala National Stadium, while Philippines take on Myanmar at Supachalasai Stadium. Both matches kick-off at 8.20pm tonight.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/11/30/schaefer-to-rest-key-players/