Thailand coach Winfried Schaefer says the friendly against the United Arab Emirates in Hong Kong later this month is ideal preparation for the Asian Cup qualifiers.
The Thai team will begin their first two tasks of the year at the King's Cup featuring North Korea, Sweden and Finland, in Chiang Mai from January 23-26, before hosting Kuwait in the opening match of their Asian Cup qualifying group next month.
Schaefer, still on leave in his home country Germany, is eager to take on the UAE on neutral turf in Hong Kong in a game he says will be a great tune-up for the Cup qualifiers.
"Actually, the fixture is what I had hoped for, as I wanted to have a game against a team from the Middle East.
"We'll have a chance to play against a team who are similar in style to Kuwait. We'll benefit from the UAE match."
The 62-year-old coach shrugged off speculation that a disappointing qualifying campaign in the group, which also features Iran and Lebanon, could cost him his job.
"Of course, I'm feeling the pressure because it's very tough at the Asian level. But it's just a part of the job. It's the same anywhere we work. So I'm just trying to do my best for the team. I believe that with the quality of my coaching staff we should do well."
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/01/11/schaefer-admits-to-feeling-the-pressure-as-thailand-coach/
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