SINGAPORE – Thailand’s AFF Championship title defence has been hit hard by several of their regulars’ absence for the upcoming competition, handing two-time winners Vietnam an early advantage.
Among those missing are the last edition’s Player of the Tournament Chanathip Songkrasin and Supachok Sarachat, both of whom play in the J-League, and Buriram United’s prolific attacking duo of Supachai Chaided and Suphanat Muenta.
With the biennial Asean Football Federation (AFF) tournament not part of the Fifa calendar, clubs are not obliged to release their players and Thailand coach Mano Polking told The Straits Times it will be tough to retain the trophy.
The Thais start their campaign against Brunei – making their first appearance since 1996 – in Group A on Tuesday before facing the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia. The competition reverts to a home-and-away format, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
Polking, who became a national hero after leading the War Elephants to their sixth AFF crown in Singapore in January, said: “Our chances are lower this time. It is going to be more difficult than before, but we will always give our all to win.
“The win at the last AFF was the greatest moment for me as a coach and for sure, if we are able to do it this time despite the challenges we have, the feeling will be greater.”
He is relying on Teerasil Dangda, the competition’s all-time scorer with 19 goals. The veteran, 36, bagged a brace in their 6-0 thrashing of Myanmar in a friendly on Dec 11.
Polking said: “Vietnam is No. 1. They are the favourites because of the long time they have had to prepare for the tournament and how long that squad has been together. But I do believe in us and I hope we will improve with each game.”
The Vietnamese, who lost to Thailand in the semi-finals, started training in late November and won both build-up games, against Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund (2-1) and the Philippines (1-0). They are also boosted by the availability of star winger Nguyen Quang Hai, who plays for France’s Ligue 2 side Pau FC.
Vietnam football analyst Quan Tran Tue said the players’ biggest motivating factor will be to give coach Park Hang-seo, who delivered the 2018 AFF title along with golds at the 2019 and 2021 SEA Games, a victorious farewell. The South Korean, 65, is leaving his role after five years at the helm.
Quan said: “We have great memories with coach Park in charge. I believe the players will give it all to give their coach a great parting gift.”
Vietnam face Laos in their Group B opener on Wednesday before taking on Myanmar, Malaysia and Singapore.
Indonesia, who have never won the tournament and lost six finals, are themselves are also on a mission to bring some joy to their compatriots. A riot and stampede after a football match at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java on Oct 1 resulted in the death of more than 130 people.
Indonesian publication Tempo has reported that coach Shin Tae-yong himself “feels responsible for the sadness of the people”.
His squad is boosted by the inclusion of former Swansea centre back Jordi Amat and former Netherlands Under-20 defender Sandy Walsh, who were recently granted Indonesian citizenship.
Malaysia are also counting on foreign-born reinforcements after at least 12 players from Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Takzim withdrew from the squad due to personal reasons or injuries.
Without so many key players, Malaysia coach Kim Pan-gon has instead handed maiden call-ups for England-born midfielders Stuart Wilkin and Lee Tuck, Argentina-born forward Sergio Aguero and Australia-born midfielder David Rowley.
The Philippines are also missing key players like Bundesliga based Gerrit Holtmann, Oscar Arribas who plays for Spanish club Cartagena and captain Neil Etheridge, who is with Birmingham City in the English Championship.
The Lions are likewise in transition with national coach Takayuki Nishigaya, who has little international experience, only appointed in April. This is his first major tournament and the Japanese will likely be benchmarked against his predecessor and compatriot Tatsuma Yoshida, who led Singapore to the semi-finals in the last edition.
The Republic is without key defender Safuwan Baharudin, still not medically cleared after suffering a concussion while playing for Selangor. They are also sweating over the availability of star striker Ikhsan Fandi and midfielder Adam Swandi, who were injured during Saturday’s 3-1 friendly win over the Maldives.
Despite these hurdles, captain Hariss Harun said “this is also a chance for us to build on our semi-final finish last year”.
He added: “Vietnam will be united in wanting to do well for their coach in his last assignment. There are no easy opponents. We have to be humble and respect all our opponents but also be fearless. We did well in this regard last year.
“There are lessons we can learn from the World Cup. Underdogs have shown that they can go far with unity, hard work and determination.”
