ASEAN powerhouses Thailand face strong Iraq test in WC qualifiers
Suzuki Cup champions Thailand face an acid test against Iraq in Tuesday's Group F WC qualifier.Thailand face their toughest test in a long time when they host Asian Cup semifinalists Iraq in a Group F World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.The Thais have spent the last 18 months bullying their Southeast Asian neighbours and have started the road to Russia with wins over Vietnam and Chinese Taipei.However, in the same period, they have suffered friendly defeats to China, North Korea and Cameroon suggesting that when there is a step up in quality the results suffer.As expected, Iraq won their first group game comfortably as they saw off Chinese Taipei 5-1 in Tehran. But they were made to work hard and three of their goals came in the final 10 minutes.The Iraqis currently sit 82 in the FIFA rankings, more than 50 places above Thailand, who are ranked 137. But this is the perfect opportunity for the home side to prove that genuine progress is being made and that they are not simply flat track bullies.Here are three things to look out for on Tuesday.Striker Teerasil Dangda needs to fire for Thailand against Iraq.1. Can Teerasil Dangda rise to the occasion?Thai head coach Kiatisuk 'Zico' Senamuang has piled the pressure on his star striker as he looks for him to lead from the front against the Iraqis.Earlier this week, Kiatisuk told the Bangkok Post: "Teerasil is a natural striker with a lot of potential. If he performs to his best, he can score for us against Iraq. All he needs is a good partner and I have already thought of ways of assisting him in scoring."Teerasil's fellow striker Adisak Kraisorn is injured, as is star playmaker, Chanathip 'Messi J' Songkrasin, so it will be interesting to see who Kiatisuk chooses to join him in attack.Teerasil did the business for Thailand in June when he netted both goals in the 2-0 victory in Chinese Taipei. He also got on the score sheet in Thursday's 2-0 friendly win over Afghanistan.However, the Iraqis represent a huge step up in class for a player who has scored just four goals in the Thai Premier League (TPL) this season.The Thai striker missed the triumphant AFF Suzuki Cup campaign last year while he was trying to establish himself with UD Almeria in La Liga. He has yet to return to the deadly form of his pre-Spain days but this would be a good place to start.Kiatisuk Senamuang's side needs to make a statement against Iraq to prove they are not just ASEAN bullies.2. Is Asian Cup nightmare truly over?Thailand's qualifying campaign for the 2014 Asian Cup must go down as one of the most humiliating in their history. Six games resulted in six defeats against West Asian rivals, including 5-2 capitulations home and away against Lebanon.In truth, the War Elephants have failed to record a meaningful victory against a team from outside of Southeast Asia since they beat Oman 3-0 at home in a 2014 World Cup qualifier back in September 2011.Iraq, led by Yahya Alwan, will pose a stern challenge, having reached the semifinals of January's Asian Cup.But Iraq are not world beaters by any means. Most players play in Iraq's league and they do not have any players with the high profiles of Asia's superpowers South Korea and Japan.This is a real opportunity for Kiatisuk's men to make a statement and show that they can compete with one of the region's tougher teams and prove the side has moved on from the Asian Cup nightmare.Sarach Yooyen is fast becoming the complete midfielder for Thailand.3. Unsung hero Sarach YooyenChanathip and Charyl Chappuis may have taken much of the plaudits for Thailand's recent success but Muang Thong United midfielder Sarach Yooyen has gradually developed into a key player for Kiatisuk's side.Chappuis has been out since the start of the season with knee problems and Chanathip has missed the last two months with an ankle injury.The stage may now be set for Sarach to show just why he is one of the first names on Kiatisuk's team sheet.Sarach is becoming the complete midfielder, with both silk and steel in his game. He has an eye for a defence-splitting pass, can put in a strong tackle and, as he demonstrated against Afghanistan with a rocket shot from distance against the crossbar, he can shoot.His performance in the centre of midfield can help the Thais set the tempo and dictate the play. After leading the U23 side to SEA Games gold in June, this could be the 23-year-old's time to take centre stage for the senior team.
ทดสอบอาเซียน powerhouses ไทยหน้าแข็งอิรักในสุขาตัวบ่งคุณลักษณะSuzuki Cup champions Thailand face an acid test against Iraq in Tuesday's Group F WC qualifier.Thailand face their toughest test in a long time when they host Asian Cup semifinalists Iraq in a Group F World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.The Thais have spent the last 18 months bullying their Southeast Asian neighbours and have started the road to Russia with wins over Vietnam and Chinese Taipei.However, in the same period, they have suffered friendly defeats to China, North Korea and Cameroon suggesting that when there is a step up in quality the results suffer.As expected, Iraq won their first group game comfortably as they saw off Chinese Taipei 5-1 in Tehran. But they were made to work hard and three of their goals came in the final 10 minutes.The Iraqis currently sit 82 in the FIFA rankings, more than 50 places above Thailand, who are ranked 137. But this is the perfect opportunity for the home side to prove that genuine progress is being made and that they are not simply flat track bullies.Here are three things to look out for on Tuesday.Striker Teerasil Dangda needs to fire for Thailand against Iraq.1. Can Teerasil Dangda rise to the occasion?Thai head coach Kiatisuk 'Zico' Senamuang has piled the pressure on his star striker as he looks for him to lead from the front against the Iraqis.Earlier this week, Kiatisuk told the Bangkok Post: "Teerasil is a natural striker with a lot of potential. If he performs to his best, he can score for us against Iraq. All he needs is a good partner and I have already thought of ways of assisting him in scoring."Teerasil's fellow striker Adisak Kraisorn is injured, as is star playmaker, Chanathip 'Messi J' Songkrasin, so it will be interesting to see who Kiatisuk chooses to join him in attack.Teerasil did the business for Thailand in June when he netted both goals in the 2-0 victory in Chinese Taipei. He also got on the score sheet in Thursday's 2-0 friendly win over Afghanistan.However, the Iraqis represent a huge step up in class for a player who has scored just four goals in the Thai Premier League (TPL) this season.The Thai striker missed the triumphant AFF Suzuki Cup campaign last year while he was trying to establish himself with UD Almeria in La Liga. He has yet to return to the deadly form of his pre-Spain days but this would be a good place to start.Kiatisuk Senamuang's side needs to make a statement against Iraq to prove they are not just ASEAN bullies.2. Is Asian Cup nightmare truly over?Thailand's qualifying campaign for the 2014 Asian Cup must go down as one of the most humiliating in their history. Six games resulted in six defeats against West Asian rivals, including 5-2 capitulations home and away against Lebanon.In truth, the War Elephants have failed to record a meaningful victory against a team from outside of Southeast Asia since they beat Oman 3-0 at home in a 2014 World Cup qualifier back in September 2011.Iraq, led by Yahya Alwan, will pose a stern challenge, having reached the semifinals of January's Asian Cup.But Iraq are not world beaters by any means. Most players play in Iraq's league and they do not have any players with the high profiles of Asia's superpowers South Korea and Japan.This is a real opportunity for Kiatisuk's men to make a statement and show that they can compete with one of the region's tougher teams and prove the side has moved on from the Asian Cup nightmare.Sarach Yooyen is fast becoming the complete midfielder for Thailand.3. Unsung hero Sarach YooyenChanathip and Charyl Chappuis may have taken much of the plaudits for Thailand's recent success but Muang Thong United midfielder Sarach Yooyen has gradually developed into a key player for Kiatisuk's side.Chappuis has been out since the start of the season with knee problems and Chanathip has missed the last two months with an ankle injury.The stage may now be set for Sarach to show just why he is one of the first names on Kiatisuk's team sheet.Sarach is becoming the complete midfielder, with both silk and steel in his game. He has an eye for a defence-splitting pass, can put in a strong tackle and, as he demonstrated against Afghanistan with a rocket shot from distance against the crossbar, he can shoot.His performance in the centre of midfield can help the Thais set the tempo and dictate the play. After leading the U23 side to SEA Games gold in June, this could be the 23-year-old's time to take centre stage for the senior team.
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