Thai coach Kiatisak happy with Doha drill
Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang is convinced that the energy-sapping drill in the sweltering hot Qatar capital of Doha has readied his men well for the battle with Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
The Thai national team yesterday left for Riyadh where they kick off their campaign for a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Kiatisak said the training his team had in Doha had helped them adapt to the prevailing hot weather in the Middle East.
“I am happy with the training we have had here as many improvements have been noticed in the players,” the coach said in Doha.
“The players adapted themselves quickly and if we hadn’t come here for training, we would have fallen victim to the heat in this region.
“Now that we have been in Doha for a few days, have spent time in the Middle East and played a warm-up game with Qatar, the players look relaxed.
“They know what exactly they will be facing in Riyadh.”
The national team are next scheduled to take on Asian giants Japan at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Sept 6.
Thailand are in Group B of the 12-team final stage of the Asian Zone qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. The group also comprises Australia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates.
In Group A are South Korea, Iran, China, Qatar, Uzbekistan and Syria.
The top two teams of each group automatically earn tickets to Russia 2018. The two third-placed sides meet each other with the winners facing a Concacaf team in a play-off.