THAILAND SHOWING A FOOTBALL BLUEPRINT
AT THE weekend, Thailand once again underscored its standing as the best football country in Southeast Asia by winning its second consecutive ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup, and fifth all time, making it the most successful team in tournament history. And the War Elephants did it in a manner in which they showcased the result of what has been a steady football program for the country.
In comeback fashion on Saturday, Thailand beat Indonesia in the final of the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup, 3-2, on aggregate in Bangkok. The win completely overhauled the 2-1 defeat it absorbed in the hands of the Garudas in Bogor in the first leg.
Forward Sirod Chattong played a key role in the title conquest as he scored a brace (37’ and 47’) while also doing his part on defense to keep the visiting side at bay to preserve the win.
“In the end, Thailand justified all the pre- tournament hype by winning the Suzuki Cup. There was a real and strong challenge from Indonesia, but Thailand’s quality and deep bench shone through,” said local football analyst Ryan Fenix when asked by BusinessWorld for his post- tournament thoughts on the just- concluded Suzuki Cup.
The resident football analyst at Interaksyon.com and author of the column Rampaging Fullback also said that what Thailand has done in becoming a football power in this side of the world is something the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia can take cue from.
“Thailand has set an example to the Philippines and Southeast Asia — a strong domestic league, means a stronger national team,” Mr. Fenix, also a writer for ESPN FC, said.
He went on to cite as example Mr. Chattong as representative of such.
“Sirod Chattong is a prime example. Playing in Division Two of the Thai Premier League, he came in the Thai lineup and was played alongside the likes of Teerasil [Dangda]and Chanathip [Songkrasin] and did not look out of place. A strong tiered domestic league allows players like that opportunities and Sirod took full advantage,” the analyst said.
REEVALUATE
Zeroing in on the performance of the Philippine team in this year’s Suzuki Cup, Mr. Fenix said it is time for the “Azkals” to reevaluate and regroup after failing to advance from the group stage on home soil.
The early exit for the Philippine Azkals was a reversal from the three straight semifinal appearances it had in previous editions of the regional biennial meet.
“[ It’s] Back to the drawing board for the Azkals, and with the golden generation of players not getting younger, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) needs to ensure that the Philippines Football League (PFL) succeeds next year,” Mr. Fenix said.
An initiative of the PFF and under the supervision of the Asian Football Confederation, the PFL is being angled as the country’s top tier league, superseding the Manila-based United Football League, which will serve as the qualifying for all international competitions.
The PFL hopes to get at least six to eight teams from different parts of the country in its first year and have it grow moving forward.
The newly formed league is expected to kick off either end of March or early April next year.