Thailand's five issues at AFF Cup 2022
In every tournament in Southeast Asia, regardless of youth level or team, Thailand is always under great pressure and expectations. Due to always dominating against strong teams in the region, "War Elephants" is always considered a championship candidate in tournaments, so a draw result will not be enough to satisfy fans. Winning is sometimes just like a draw, but losing is a big deal. Because no Thai people want to see their team lose.
Therefore, as the defending champion, the Thai team will be under great pressure from fans when attending the AFF Cup 2022. Due to many recent bad results, defending the championship is a way to regain confidence. from fans. In return, the players must find a way to overcome the great expectations that are directed towards them.
Because it is a regional tournament, each match at the AFF Cup will carry national pride. Although Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia are title contenders, the other teams cannot be underestimated. Moreover, tactics are increasingly becoming an important factor in changing the game.
With the home-away format, instead of playing concentrated in one country like the tradition, the teams will always receive great support from the fans when playing at home. The AFF Cup also becomes more attractive and competitive. Playing away from home means that Thailand will be under more pressure from the opposing fans.
The Thai team probably did not have many difficulties in the opening match against Brunei, the team using the stadium in Malaysia as home. Indonesia's away match is also not worrisome, because the country's government may not have allowed fans to return after the incident last month. But if entering the semi-finals, being a guest on the field of Group B teams like Vietnam or Malaysia will be a challenge for Mr. Mano Polking's army.
According to experts, Malaysia and Vietnam have the same opportunity to continue. But no matter where they kick, the Thai team needs to be prepared to face pressure from opposing fans in 90 minutes. Especially Malaysia, the team always makes it difficult for Thailand every time as a guest here. In addition, statistics show that Thailand cannot beat Malaysia in the last six meetings. Six times as a guest against this opponent, Thailand lost two and drew one.
Since the appointment of Coach Park Hang-seo in 2017, Vietnam has changed dramatically in the style of a coach. They improved in every aspect and won the Southeast Asian championship. However, the defeat in the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2020 became a pain for Vietnam, and raised many questions for them because their performance was still positive. Even, Vietnam also entered the 12 strongest teams in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, reached the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup 2019 and only lost close to Japan 0-1.
Every Vietnamese fan thought their team would easily defend the AFF Cup title in 2020, because of their overwhelming performance two years earlier. But in the end, Vietnam lost to Thailand with a total score of 0-2 after two matches. That result left pain for Park's team and they waited for the day of revenge.
Besides the desire to erase the defeat a year ago, the fact that the AFF Cup 2022 is Park's last tournament to lead Vietnam makes their desire for the crown even greater.
Although it has only won the AFF Cup once in 2010, Malaysia is still a force in the region. They reached the semi-finals 9 times, only behind Vietnam and Thailand (11 times). In particular, Malaysia has always played well against Thailand - which makes them a threat to the "War Elephants". The last time Thailand beat Malaysia was in 2014. That was when we first opened Rajamangala Stadium. The team won 2-0 at home and lost 2-3 away.
Currently, Malaysia is weak because there is no good player on the payroll of Johor Darul Ta'zim - the number one club in this country. In fact, 16 out of 23 Malaysian players participated in the tournament and played for the team less than five times. Safawi Rasid, a striker on the staff of Ratchaburi Club, is the only experienced player in the "Golden Tigers" squad.
Despite the selection of many inexperienced players, coach Kim Pan-gon, who is very good at tactics, will still have a strategy to compete for the championship at the AFF Cup 2022. Therefore, even with new blood, "Golden Tiger" Malaysia is still a strong team.
Despite being 34 years old, Teerasil Dangda's position in the Thai team is still very important and all tactics operate around him. The record of 19 goals, the most in tournament history, shows the greatness of the striker playing for BG Pathum United.
Teerasil's quality is second to none and his five-time tournament experience will help young players. Besides his ability to score goals, contributing to Teerasil's play makes it easier for the players around him to kick and he can make the difference in just a moment.
However, also because of Teerasil's importance, he will be given special attention by opponents at the AFF Cup 2022. Coach Mano Polking will have to consider a backup plan for him. Besides, at the age of 34, Teerasil may have physical problems, requiring Polking to have a reasonable plan to better promote the ability of this main striker.
