SERIOUS MATTER
Thais wary of Singapore threat in decisive battle
>> Thailand coach Milovan Rajevac has told his men to keep Singaporean dangermen — Faris Ramli and Ikhsan Fandi — on a tight leash when the two sides clash on the last day of group stage battles in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup tomorrow.
The match will be played at Rajamangala National Stadium at 7pm.
It will be a key battle for both teams as defending champions Thailand need just a draw against Singapore to book a semi-final place, while the Lions need a win to ensure they qualify.
Both team will also progress with a draw if Indonesia beat the Philippines in tomorrow’s other Group B game.
Rajevac is not taking anything for granted for their last group match.
“Definitely, Singapore are a good team, especially at their set-pieces. We’ll have to be careful in this game,” said Rajevac.
“We didn’t defend corners well [in the 4-2 win] against Indonesia and we started working on it after the match. I think we defended it better [during the 1-1 draw] against the Philippines.
“We watched Singapore’s game with Timor Leste [who lost 6-1] and definitely our concentration levels would have to be at their highest on set-pieces.
“We’ve also watched many of Singapore’s matches. Against the Philippines, they were, in some parts, the better team and maybe they were a bit unlucky with the goal they conceded.
“Against Indonesia, they were dominating. We are taking Singapore seriously.”
The 64-year-old Serb is also taking the goal threat of Ikhsan seriously, and he singled out the Singapore striker and his teammate Faris as the Lions’ two most dangerous players.
Ikhsan, son of Singapore coach Fandi Ahmad, scored two goals against Timor Leste, the second of which was a spectacular bicycle kick, while substitute Faris also found the net.
“The No.10 [Faris] and the No.20 [Ikhsan] are dangerous players, especially the No.20, he is a very bright prospect,” Rajevac said.
Thailand have won the Southeast Asian title a record five times, one more than Singapore’s tally.
Meanwhile, despite missing four foreign-based stars — Kawin Thamsatchanan, Chanathip Songkrasin, Teerasil Dangda and Theerathon Bunmathan, former Thailand midfielder Therdsak Chaiman believes that the War Elephants remain the strongest team at the AFF Suzuki Cup and will win the title.
BANGKOK UTD SIGN BONILLA
True Bangkok United yesterday unveiled El Salvador international Nelson Bonilla as the team’s new striker.
Bonilla, who has signed a two-year contract with the Thai League 1 runners-up, played for fellow top-flight club Sukhothai this year, scoring 23 goals in 35 appearances for the team in domestic competitions.
Bangkok United chairman Kajorn Chearavanont said: “Nelson Bonilla will replace Robson Fernandes because we wanted a striker who can play well in the penalty area.
“Bonilla is the player that our coach Mano Polking wanted as his style suits our plans very well.”
Bonilla became the fourth player to join Bangkok United, who acquired Tristan Do, Peerapat Notechaiya and Anon Amornlertsak earlier.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Glass, relegated to Thai League 2, have signed Singapore defender Irfan Fandi Ahmad.
“It is a great pleasure for me to come and play for Bangkok Glass and I look forward to helping the team regain their place in the top division,” said Irfan, also son of Singapore coach Fandi.