Thailand does light exercise and feels refreshed
On the afternoon of January 1, 2025, the Thai team had the only practice session at Viet Tri Stadium, preparing for the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 final. Coming to Vietnam later because of a fever, hero Suphanat went out to practice with his teammates. team with very good mental state. The away team only practiced lightly under the close supervision of coach Ishii.
The Thai players appeared quite comfortable and ready for the great Vietnam battle at 8:00 p.m. on January 2.
Head coach of the Thai team at Viet Tri Stadium on January 1
Suphanat is healthy again
Suphanat just arrived in Vietnam on the morning of January 1
Thai players have good physical shape
What is especially noteworthy about Thailand?
In the defense, the Thai team no longer dared to experiment like previous matches. Coach Masatada Ishii (Japanese) of the Thai team used a pair of central defenders with a lot of international experience, including Pansa Hemviboon and Chalermsak Aukkee, to face the Philippines. After “assembling” these central defenders into his squad, the Japanese coach leading the Golden Temple team also revealed the best frame of the Thai team at the AFF Cup.
‘Jonathan Khemdee is stronger than Xuan Son,’ a Thai player commented
This frame includes goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai (1.86 m) standing in the goal. The central defenders include Pansa Hemviboon (1.90 m) and Chalermsak Aukkee (1.86 m). The central midfielders of the Thai team include Weerathep Pomphan (1.82 m) and William Weidersjo (1.82 m). Playing the tallest in Thailand’s tactical scheme is striker Patrik Gustavsson (1.84 m).
It is not difficult to recognize the vertical frame from the goalkeeper, up to the center back, central midfielder and at the top is the very tall center forward of the Thai team. Their physique is no different from a European football team. Former coach of the U.23 Vietnam team, Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan commented: “I am impressed with the physiques of Thai players. Previously, Thailand only used players with physical advantages. In the central defender position, they currently use many players with good physiques in many different positions. This is a modern development mindset, aiming for big playgrounds.”
Good physical shape, that’s why Thai team midfielder Chalermsak Aukkee said he and his teammates are not afraid of striker Nguyen Xuan Son on the Vietnamese team. Chalermsak Aukkee said: “I don’t know how strong Xuan Son is, but the Thai team has midfielder Jonathan Khemdee who is even stronger than Xuan Son.”
Thailand’s “secret weapon” gradually appeared
Jonathan Khemdee was used from the second half of the second half of Thailand’s match against the Philippines in the semi-final second leg on the evening of December 30. This player entered the field to enhance his ability to fight the ball and increase the ability to compete for hand-to-hand exchanges for the Thai team. Jonathan Khemdee is tall (1.90 m), has a clear advantage in 1-on-1 situations with opposing strikers.
Xuan Son will be closely marked by Thai players
Around the strong vertical axis in terms of physical strength and physique, the Thai team added more technicians to help their playing style become more fluent and diverse. Striker Suphanat Mueanta, midfielders Worachit Kanitsribampen, Ben Davis, and Supachok Sarachat are players with very good personal techniques. They are good at passing the ball and good at coordinating on the field, helping the Thai team’s playing style become diverse.
The away team has a very strong mentality after what they showed in the group stage and semi-finals of AFF Cup 2024.
Among these, Supachok Sarachat is expected to replace the role of midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin in the Thai team. After the entire group stage without playing a single minute, Supachok Sarachat appeared more and more in the two semi-finals against the Philippines. That proves that coach Masatada Ishii of Thailand wants to use Supachok Sarachat for the most stressful phase of the AFF Cup 2024. The Vietnamese team therefore needs to increase vigilance against opponents.
The positive sign is that after Thailand revealed its strongest squad, the Vietnamese team may have also seen the strengths and weaknesses of the team from the land of the golden pagoda. The important thing for us in the final is a plan to stop the opponent and at the same time promote our strongest points.
