Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beirut: Lebanon boss Theo Bucker sees Thailand as a fast developing nation that will give teams in their Group B of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015™ qualifications a run for their money.
The Lebanese were grouped together with South Asian powerhouse Iran, Kuwait and ASEAN representatives Thailand during a preliminary draw in Melbourne, Australia, on Tuesday.
The group will witness a renewal of rivalries between three-time champions Iran and 1980 winners Kuwait, who featured in the 1976 final with Team Melli emerging as the champions.
Thailand’s first appearance was in 1972 when they won the third place and then they were absent for 20 years before coming back in 1992 and competing in every edition since then albeit never beyond the group stage again.
Lebanon, meanwhile, have to be content with their only finals appearance in 2000 in facing off the more experienced Group B rivals. They are also with Iran in the same group in the World Cup's final qualification round.
"Our group is very strong and difficult, as the teams in this group are at the same level, and even Thailand team is developing very fast,” said Bucker (pic). “We must work very hard to keep the same level we reached with the national team.
"Our chances are there to reach the Asian Cup, but we must prepare the team in a good way to make them capable of playing the World Cup qualifications and Asian Cup qualifying matches at the same time,” concluded the German manager.
The Australia 2015 qualifiers will kick off across the continent on 6 February 2012 with The Cedars facing off against Iran as their first opponents.