Soccer: Mighty Thais stand in Malaysia’s way
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THAILAND have never failed to qualify for the semi-finals in SEA Games men’s football for 18 consecutive editions since 1973. And it appears as though Malaysia need a miracle to pull off an upset to knock out the defending champions for the first time in 36 years.
National coach K. Rajagopal said that the odds were stacked against his team in their final Group A fixture against Thailand at the Main Stadium tomorrow (4pm).
“Of course, we respect our opponents. After all, they are winners of the gold medal for the last eight SEA Games,” he said after Malaysia kept their semi-final hopes alive with a 4-0 win over Cambodia at the Chao Anouvong Stadium on Tuesday.
“It is a do-or-die situation for both teams but I have told my boys not to fear them. The Thais are technically stronger and have some quality players. We have a couple of days to work out a game plan to stop them.”
Malaysia are hoping to end a gold drought after last becoming champions 20 years ago in Kuala Lumpur in 1989.
“I have told the boys to forget the results of their matches against Timor Leste, Vietnam and Cambodia. We have to just focus on Thailand and a win will see us through,” said Rajagopal.