Thailand
Coach: Chanvit Polchovin
Thailand’s one-time status as the kings of South East Asian football may have been usurped by Singapore in recent years but against Iraq, Australia, and Oman the three-time regional champions will be out to prove they can compete at the very highest level of Asian football.
As one of the four co-hosts Thailand were spared the qualification process but Chanvit Polchovin’s side has been preparing well as they attempt to make their mark in the Asian arena.
In addition to an intensive training camp in Germany in June and the Asean Football Federation Championship at the start of the year, the Thais have warmed up with numerous friendlies, including matches with the Netherlands, China and Group A rivals Iraq.
In February 2006, when 23 other nations embarked on the battle for one of 12 finals berths, the Thais played out a goalless draw with Jordan before an experimental side defeated the Iraqis 4-3 two weeks later.
It was Thailand’s first victory over Iraq in 13 games but it gave very little away about the hosts ahead of the tournament opener on July 7, with the goals coming from Under-23 defender Prat Samarkat, fringe players Nirut Kumsawad and Apichate Puttan, and an Iraq own goal.
A routine 5-0 mauling of the Philippines followed in March before the Thais suffered a dip in form in August, losing 4-0 to China and going down to Malaysia and Indonesia in the Merdeka Cup.
The next few months saw attention focus firmly on the 2006 Asian Games, where the Thais reached the quarter-final stage of the under 23 competition.
Seven of the Asian Games team – including over-age players Kosin Hathairattanakool, right-back Suree Sukha, and Sutee Suksomkit – went on to be core members of the senior squad as preparations for the Asian Cup began in earnest.
In late December, Thailand saw off the challenge of Vietnam, Singapore and Kazakhstan to win the annual King’s Cup, which was marked by the return of talismanic Kiatisuk Senamuang after a gap of more than two years.
Kiatisuk’s influence was apparent but niggling injuries restricted his appearances at the Asean Football Championship, where the Thais lost 3-2 on aggregate to Singapore.
The Thais struggled in their opening match against Myanmar, which they drew 1-1, before recording a 4-0 win over the Philippines and a 1-0 defeat of Malaysia to set-up a semi-final against Vietnam, which they won 2-0 on aggregate.
In May, BEC Tero Sasana striker Pipat Thonkanya scored the only goal of the game as Thailand defeated Asian Cup 2004 hosts and runners-up China 1-0 as midfield maestro Therdsak Chaiman returned to the fold.
However, despite their undeniable speed and skill there is yet to emerge an out-and-out goal scorer for the Thais, who might find themselves over-relying on long range shots and free-kicks from the likes of Datsakorn Thonglao, Sutee and, Therdsak.
And while the rampaging runs of Nirut Surasiang and Suree regularly produce dangerous crosses from both flanks Thailand also have a limited aerial presence at both ends of the pitch.
But what they lack in height they make up for in heart and the Thais are unlikely to be bullied by teams that are supposedly much stronger physically.
Coach Profile
Chanvit Polchovin
DoB: 02/08/55
Nationality: Thai
Appointed: January 2005
One of the most celebrated and respected coaches to emerge from the ‘Land of Smiles’ Chanvit Polchovin first came to prominence when he led Thai Farmers’ Bank to glory in the 1994 Asian Club Championship.
Guiding the now defunct Bangkok-based side to a 2-1 victory over Oman Club and the first of their back-to-back continental titles earned Chanvit the first-ever AFC Coach of the Year award and to date is the only winner to emerge from the Asean region.
His current tenure at the helm of the Thailand national team began in early 2005 when he replaced Siggi Held and it began a period of relative stability after the Football Association of Thailand had gone through four coaches over the previous 17 months.
Chanvit promptly guided the Thais to gold in the South East Asian Games before leading the under 23s to the quarter-finals of the 2006 Asian Games.
Thailand saw off the challenge of Vietnam, Kazakhstan and Singapore to win the King’s Cup in Bangkok in December although they fell at the final hurdle of the Asean Football Championship final a month later.
However, with little over five months to Thailand’s co-hosting of the Asian Cup finals, Chanvit rocked the local football scene when he announced he was taking a job with Vietnamese side Dong Thap.
But, after failing to agree financial terms with Dong Thap, the popular coach agreed to lead the national team at the Asian Cup and the under 23s as they defend their SEA Games title in December.