Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Yangon: Thailand coach Sasom Pobprasert says it's a case of "do or die" for his side in their final AFC U-19 Championship Group A game against Yemen, with only a win sufficient at Wunna Theikdi Stadium on Monday should they wish to qualify for the quarter-finals.
After their disappointing 3-0 reverse to hosts and regional rivals Myanmar in Yangon on Friday, Sasom's team now travel to Nay Pyi Taw knowing that only three points can ensure their place in the tournament's final eight, as they remain a point behind the two group front-runners.
And with Yemen only needing a draw, Sasom is adamant that his players cannot afford to give anything less than 100 percent against their West Asian opponents.
"This is a do or die match, Myanmar and Yemen have four points and we have three, this is a must win game," said Sasom (pictured).
As well as being without the suspended Chenrop Samphaodi, who was sent off against Myanmar, the Thai coach is also sweating on the fitness of Shinnaphat Leeaoh and Sansern Limwatthana, who came off injured and he is still awaiting the return of long-term absentee and key player Santipharp Channgom.
"I will have some injuries so I'll have to look the players available and formulate a strategy around those I have at my disposal," added Sasom.
Yemen coach Ahmed Qasem, meanwhile, knows that due to his side's 1-0 victory over Iran, which eliminated the Asian giants from the competition, his team now only needs a point against Thailand to secure themselves a quarter-final berth.
"We are 75 percent of the way there but qualification is still on the table for three teams and we must be careful," said Qasem.
"Hopefully we will not be forced into any changes, although I introduced Ahmed Al Sarori, who was suspended for the first match, against Iran and he rewarded me with a goal."
In Monday's final Group A game, Myanmar will face Iran at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre Stadium with the White Angels needing only a draw to thrill home fans with qualification for the quarter-finals of this tournament for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Myanmar coach Gerd Zeise believes he can keep his young players focused on the task at hand even after their emphatic 3-0 victory over local rivals Thailand in front of a raucous crowd.
"It will not be difficult because, even though the Thai match was a special event before the tournament started, the next match is also a very important match," said Zeise.
"Even though Iran have zero points, they are a very strong side and my players know that, but I don't believe in playing for a draw, we will play our own strategy and we must go there searching for three points."
An injury to Myo Ko Tun, which saw the midfielder leave the pitch in the second-half against Thailand is, though, a cause for concern for the coach.
"I may have to think about some changes, Myo Ko Tun may be injured and that is a problem," added Zeise.
"We don't have enough quality in depth. A team like Thailand, for example, has many players to choose from, and they have played a different side every time we face them.
"I have 23 players in my squad but I maybe have 16 I can really choose from."
Iran's Ali Doustimehr, although disappointed with his side's performance in the first two games, will not be making changes in Matchday three purely for the sake of giving all his squad members a game.
"In the next match we want to play strong and we will not just use our subs. We will not take this match for granted," said Doustimehr.