MEMBERS of defending champion Thailand are now in town. They want one of two seats in the World Cup Russia 2018 which will be at stake in the 2016 Asean Football Federation-Suzuki Cup football championship.
They are in high spirits after their impressive showing against Asian champions Australia following a 2-2 draw in their fifth World Cup Group B for Russia 2018 last Tuesday.
But the Philippine Azkals national men’s football team are too not worried about the Thais, who will be focused in their bid to retain the crown.
One of their key players, Fil-Iranian booter Misagh Bahadoran, will seeing action after recovering from injuries.
Coach Thomas Dooley has been asking him to spend more time in the field in order for him to improve on his fitness level.
“I have been injured. It’s one of the reasons why coach wants me to play 45 minutes, so he can check on my fitness level,” said Bahadoran.
Bahadoran will be one of the strikers for the Azkals.
He will carry a big responsibility for the team, now that Javier Patiño and Daisuke Sato won’t be available. The Azkals begin their campaign against Singapore on Saturday at Philippine Sports Stadium.
Sato was recalled by Romanian first division side Politehnica, and he needs to stay with the club, which has seven games until Dec. 17.
Patiño has reportedly renewed his contract with Henan Jianye, and can’t come.
Dooley is making many adjustments. These include fielding leftback Jeffrey Christiaens and defensive midfielder Dennis Villanueva, who will be around to defend with Amani Aguinaldo.
On the other hand, the Thais will have the goal of preparing for the World Cup, and along the way, they will try to retain the Suzuki Cup crown.
“The World Cup dream is not over and the Southeast Asian title hasn’t been secured yet,” said coach Kiatisak Senamuang in an article which appeared in the Bangkok Post.
As an incentive, the top two teams in Group A and Group B automatically qualify for World Cup Russia 2018.
The two third-placed sides will meet in a play-off with the winners facing a qualifier from Concacaf for another berth.
