Thailand started their Group A campaign with wins over Myanmar and China PR before sealing top spot with a 2-1 victory over ASEAN rivals Vietnam.

 

And with the home crowd set to fill the stands at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium once more, head coach Miguel Rodrigo believes Thailand will have the help of an important extra player that could make the difference in the showdown with Iraq.

“For some teams it can be a big pressure playing at home, but for us it’s a pleasure not a pressure. The crowd are very important for us,” said Rodrigo. “Against Vietnam, when they scored their equaliser, our players were impacted and I’m sure if we were not playing at home, we would have gone on to lose the game. But with our fans cheering us on we didn’t surrender, and we went on to score the winning goal.

 

“They will be just as important in this game against Iraq for us, especially as I am sure the score will be tight as well, and in those moments the fans will play their part.

 

“It’s a very tough and complicated game as Iraq use many tactical variations, their players are strong, and they have a very good coach. But we are the hosts, we are Thailand, and we are motivated to win and put on a fantastic show and spectacle for our home fans.”

Iraq, in their 13th AFC Futsal Asian Cup outing, defeated Saudi Arabia 5-1 on Group B’s opening day, then suffered a 4-1 defeat against Uzbekistan before coming back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Australia 6-2.

 

Head coach Cacau believes that Iraq are in for a big test against a Thailand team that boasts international futsal superstars in the form of prolific powerhouse pivots Suphawut Thueanklang and Muhammad Osamanmusa.

“Thailand have fantastic individual players who have international experience, but we have to focus on their whole team and so I will make no specific plans for just one or two players,” said Cacau.

 

“Thailand are a very strong across all areas of the team, they have a very good defence, attack and transition; all of coach Miguel’s teams are like this as he’s a very experienced coach and someone who is a good friend of mine.

 

“As the only West Asia team to make it to the quarter-finals we are highly motivated to progress further and make the Iraqi people happy, I know that the people are watching our games back in Iraq and are very pleased with the results so far.

 

“In my experience as a player playing in Brazil I have played in front of huge crowds before, and I know first-hand what it’s like playing in front of many fans and a full stadium, that’s the reason we play futsal, so we cannot wait for this game.”

Thailand v Iraq
Venue: Hua Mark Indoor Stadium (Bangkok)
Kick-off: 18:00 (UTC+7)