Malaysia ready for Thailand clash - Dollah

25 November, 2014


While he has a healthy respect for Thailand’s exciting young side, Malaysia coach Dollah Salleh does not intend to take a cautious approach for his team’s crucial AFF Suzuki Cup clash against the Group B leaders at Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday.

Malaysia share second spot in the group after holding Myanmar to a goalless draw on Sunday despite being reduced to 10 men for the majority of the game following the 35th minute dismissal of Gary Robbat.

It was the third consecutive game which the Tigers had finished a man down following red cards in their recent friendlies against Syria and Vietnam but Dollah insisted that he will not curtail his team’s physical approach against the Thais.

“It’s been a headache for us because for three matches in a row we have had to play with 10 men,” said the Malaysia coach.

“However, the players have to play a normal game and not think of being too cautious. That’s all part of the game because anything can happen but hopefully tomorrow we can finish the game with 11 players.”

A member of the Malaysia squad that reached the inaugural ASEAN Football Championship final in 1996, Dollah expects a tough battle against the young Thais who impressed in their opening 2-1 win over Singapore.

“It’s not easy to play against Thailand who are one of the favourite teams but Malaysia is ready and I believe that something is going to happen and we will give a good fight to the Thais,” he said.

“They have a young team but they are getting better and better. I have been watching them since the Asian Games in Korea where they did very well to reach the semi-finals. They are very fast and it is not easy to play against them but we will do our very best to try to stop them.”

Malaysia have managed only one win in six matches since Dollah took charge of the team in June but captain Shukor Adan said that the team is still hopeful of turning things around against the Thais.

“Coach Dollah has given us a strategy to practice. Thailand have good technique but hopefully our tactics can help us to stop Thailand from scoring,” said the midfielder.

“The morale in our team is good and we will do our best tomorrow and hopefully we can gain a good result.”

Meanwhile, Thailand assistant coach Kairung Threejagsang insisted that his side cannot take anything for granted against a determined Malaysia side.

“Tomorrow’s match will not be easy because Malaysia have a good team and they have a lot more experienced players in their side than our young team,” he said.

“They also showed a lot of determination because in their first game when they had only 10 players for most of the match but they still managed a draw.”

Original source - www.affsuzukicup.com