Blame me, not the boys —Thai coach Worrawoot
>> Thai men’s football team coach Worrawoot Srimaka has responded to widespread criticism of his squad by saying that “the boys are not to be blamed” for the War Elephants’ failure to win a single Group B so far in Indonesia.
After escaping with a last-gasp 1-1 tie against Qatar on Tuesday, Thailand were held to another 1-1 draw by Bangladesh in a match that Worrawoot expected to win by a big margin on Thursday.
Supachai Chaided was the team’s saviour in their first two Group B games, scoring a goal each after coming on as a second-half substitute on both occasions.
Thailand are still in with a chance to qualify for the last 16 stage but need a win over reigning Asian U23 champions Uzbekistan tomorrow to avoid being dependent on the result of the Qatar v Bangladesh clash on the same day.
Uzbekistan have already qualified for the next round as group winners.
Worrawoot, in an effort to deflect the criticism being heaped on his team, said yesterday: “If there is anyone to be blamed, it is me. The boys are not to be blamed.
“We have a problem at the back and there are injured players as well. We were forced to change our game plan for the match with Bangladesh and we got a few things wrong.
“We have one more group game left and it could end in our favour. Uzbekistan are a strong team but I know how to get the better of them.”
Worrawoot is likely to be without Port defender Worawut Namvech, who was injured during Thursday’s match, for tomorrow’s game.
The coach added that he had been reluctant to start with Supachai because the Buriram United striker “is not fully fit”.
Meanwhile, goalless Thailand striker and captain Chenrop Samphaodi claimed that it was the burden of expectations and pressure that made the War Elephants put on a sub-standard show.
“I admit that we couldn’t meet the expectations of our fans in the game with Bangladesh. We aimed to pick up three points and put ourselves under pressure. We were not sharp enough to score goals.
“We will try to do our best against Uzbekistan. I am not doing well and have some points to improve, but I believe we can still bring out our best.”