Plan B to take on Thais

WITH a chance of making history, national futsal coach Chiew C h u n Yo n g h a s u r g e d h i s players to keep their focus on the court as they prepare to face Thailand in the AFF Championship final in Ho Chi Minh City today.

Malaysia have reached the final three times, the last in 2010, but have never won the tournament.

Thailand have beaten Malaysia twice recently, posting a 6-3 win in the group stage of this tournament and 4-3 in a decisive round-robin match at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in August to deny the hosts the gold medal.

But Chun Yong is confident that Malaysia have the ability to upset 12-time AFF champions Thailand.

“Thailand are the favourites and are technically and tactically strong but we are ready to face them,” said Chun Yong.

“I will change the game plan and tactics from the game in the group stage.

“As long as the boys follow the game plan well like against Vietnam in the semi-finals, I strongly believe Malaysia will be able to put up a good fight against Thailand.”

Malaysia will be without Abu Haniffa Hasan in the final after his sending-off in the 5-1 win over Vietnam on Wednesday though Chun Yong said the player’s absence is not an issue.

However, he said the team cannot afford to lose focus as they did against Thailand in the group stage when the defending champions opened a 5-0 lead while Malaysia missed several chances of their own.

“Thailand couldn’t penetrate our defence during the first 10 minutes until our players lost focus.

“It was also due to poor marking and not following the game plan well enough,” he said.

“In the second half, we had so many chances but wasted them.

“Thailand have better quality players in terms of technique and individual skill, that’s the difference, while their defending is also very disciplined.

“But we will be prepared for that.”

Malaysia will look to Khairul Effendy Bahrin, who scored twice against Vietnam, and also another two against Thailand earlier, to add to his tally of eight goals while Peerapol Satsue is Thailand’s leading scorer with six goals. Devinder Singh