Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: An improved defensive performance is on the mind of Thailand coach Victor Hermans as the Southeast Asians prepare to face Chinese Taipei in Matchday Two of the AFC Futsal Championship on Saturday.
Dutchman Hermans’ side went into their Group C opener against Tajikistan as strong favourites, but it took a last-minute goal from Wiwat Thaijaruen to seal all three points in an enthralling 5-4 victory.
And with Chinese Taipei’s narrow 5-4 reversal to Vietnam showing that they will offer strong competition on the continental stage, the two-time finalists will be expecting another tough encounter at Universal Stadium.
“We must learn from Tajikistan’s counter-attacking style of play and take something from that into our next game,” said Hermans.
“My players always want to attack and don’t think about the back, but this is how we concede. But I hope in this game we are more confident in our defence.”
Opponents Chinese Taipei put in a never-say-die showing against Vietnam, meanwhile, before ultimately going down 5-4 to bring an end a thrilling opening day of action from Group C.
“I plan to prepare our defence well and play on the counter-attack, and we are confident for the game,” said coach Chen Yung-Sheng.
“I don’t think Thailand played very well in their first match. But their players are very experienced, they know when to attack and they are a very solid team.
“We have to win our next two games if we want to get into the quarter-finals.”
Saturday’s other Group C fixture, also at Universal Stadium, sees 2014 quarter-finalists Vietnam take on Tajikistan.
After falling behind early on to Chinese Taipei in their opening encounter, Vietnam recovered to edge a tight 5-4 victory, and they will be hoping for another win that would see them put one foot in the last eight.
“Tajikistan have a different system to Chinese Taipei but they counter-attack in a similar way,” said Vietnam coach Bruno Formoso.
“We need to improve and be ready for their counter-attacking because they go from back to front very quickly.
“We need to know how to open up their defence and to go in there with a good game plan, but we are confident.”
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Husein Shodiev’s Tajikistan, meanwhile, will take heart from their first performance of the competition after coming within a minute of snatching a draw from tournament heavyweights Thailand.
A late brace from Rahmonali Sharipov had put the Tajiks level with a minute to play as they looked set to steal an unlikely result before Wiwat’s strike claimed all three points for the Thais.
“The next two matches will be the last chance for us so it is a game we need to try to win,” said Shodiev.
“We must move on from the first match and try to take our chances better when we counter-attack.”
Photo: AFC