Thailand's football team coach Winfried Schaefer was full of praise for his players after the three-time champions completed their group stage campaign of the Asean Championship with a perfect record.
After his side booked a semi-final spot ahead of the final group match against a struggling Vietnam side on Friday evening, the German trainer opted to field a second-string side. The wholesale changes he made did not disrupt the team's rhythm, though.
Burly forward Kirati Keawsombat made the most of his rare start by grabbing a fine brace to inspire the hosts, who won the biennial tournament way back in 2002, to a comfortable 3-1 win over a lacklustre Vietnamese side, which was sent packing in the process.
The win was all the more impressive as the Thais had to play the final 20 minutes a man down after Arthit Sunthornphit was shown a straight red card for kicking an opponent in retaliation. Vietnam, the 2008 winners, halved the deficit to 2-1 soon after Arthit's dismissal but Schaefer's men coped well with the pressure in the closing stages.
The hosts were even gifted an own goal to make it three wins out of three and secure the top spot, which earned them the advantage of playing the second leg of the semi-finals at home. Surprise package Philippines followed the Thais into the last four by beating bottom side Myanmar 2-0.
Thailand's perfect start to their campaign was a far cry from the saga two years ago when they went out of the competition without a single win. With no other side in the eight-team finals able to match their feat in the group stage, the Kingdom are now widely tipped to win a record fourth title, having been level with Singapore on three championship trophies.
The 62-year-old Schaefer, whose appointment coincided with the Thais' upward fortunes, was delighted at his side's fighting spirit despite its numerical disadvantage against the Vietnamese.
"The lads deserved much credit. They showed great character today. Even though we were down to 10 men, everyone kept fighting and eventually ran out as deserved winners. They did exactly what I asked them to do before the game. That's very pleasing for me."
The identity of Thailand's likely opponents in the semi-finals remained unclear, given that all four teams in Group B including defending champions Malaysia were still in with a chance to qualify ahead of the final round of fixtures last night.
No one could be happier than Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi to see the Thai side make such a strong statement, but he cannot have been pleased after left back Theerathon Bunmathan was captured in a photo holding up a scarf with the words "VV Get Out" on one side of it.
The photo caused a big stir on social networking sites but the Buriram United defender, one of the Thai team's outstanding performers so far, issued an apology and said it was just a misunderstanding.
"I don't want to see an issue raised from the photo. I only got a scarf from a supporter with the national colours on the other side of it. I'm sorry for any offence this may have caused to anyone," said Theerathon on his Facebook page.
Expansion 'unnecessary'
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has expressed opposition to Uefa's proposals to expand the flagship Champions League to 64 teams, saying it would damage domestic football. European football's governing body is thinking about abolishing the second-tier Europa League and increasing the size of Europe's premier club tournament.
According to reports, the new format could be introduced by as early as 2015, but despite the fact it might allow seven English teams to qualify, Wenger is not in favour of the proposals. "I am not convinced, because the Champions League already has audience problems in the group stage - I think that would create more [problems] and lower the level," he told the Arsenal website.
"It would mean that you create a complete European championship league. That could be detrimental to the national leagues as well and could take some interest out of the first stages of the Champions League."
Wenger was also asked to comment on the shortlist for the 2012 Fifa Ballon d'Or, but said he could not choose a winner.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi is tipped to win the award for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time, but faces competition from Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and his own club-mate, Andres Iniesta.
"It's very difficult," said Wenger.
"For the class, Messi. He's scored 76 goals (sic: 82) in one year. It looks just outrageous to me.
"Ronaldo has always been there and he deserves it as well. He won the Spanish championship. Iniesta won the European Championship with the [Spanish] national team and, therefore, you could reward him.
"I'm not a big fan of these things - if you judge purely the class, you judge Messi. If you want the achievement ... you would choose Ronaldo."
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/02/thais-determination-pleases-coach-schaefer/
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