Zacch on the attack after win
UAE coach not happy with hosts as they qualify for the knockout stages with a whimper
Alberto Zaccheroni has hit out at his UAE side after they made it through to the knockout stages.
A 1-1 draw against Thailand was enough to see the hosts progress to the second round — the UAE’s opener from Ali Mabkhout canceled out by Thitiphan Puangjan four minutes from time.
But the Italian coach was less than impressed with the Whites, and has told them he expects much better come the round of 16.
“I was expecting a better performance. We controlled the game, scored an early goal, but then we conceded a goal and we lost concentration,” Zaccheroni said.
“We didn’t take advantage of the fact that we’re playing at home in front of our own fans. I know that the fans aren’t happy with our performances — we have to do better from now on.”
That the hosts have made it through to the knockout stages is a success.
They entered the tournament on the back of some patchy form and with hope that they might do well, rather than expectation. But it is also fair to say that they have underwhelmed during the groupstage matches.
They began with a 1-1 draw against Bahrain — a late Ahmed Khalil penalty sparing their blushes.
That was followed up with a laborious 2-0 win over India and then the 1-1 draw against a Thai side that had never made it to the second round.
But having taken stock after the first round, Zaccheroni is certain that his side will improve, starting with the second round.
“In all three matches we controlled (the opposition) and, all in all, we were better than the other teams,” the Italian said.
“(But) it is clear we didn’t take advantage of playing at home.
“The fans are not happy with how we have played. We aspire to do well in the coming stage, taking advantage of playing at home in front of our supporters.
“Our team has solutions and we’ll use those in the coming matches.”
For Thailand, the draw ensured they finished second in the group, a remarkable achievement considering they had only ever won two games at the tournament in their history, and verging on the unbelievable considering they sacked their coach, Milovan Rajevac, after their opening loss to India.
Rajevac’s dismissal following the 4-1 defeat to India seems to have galvanized the Thais, who then beat Bahrain 1-0 and drew 1-1 with hosts UAE to reach the instructions i to the tee, and we played p exactly like in training. It was w an amazing game. We created many chances and didn’t give India any space.”
Bahrain’s win has set up a meeti ing with the winners of either Group B or C, and the Czech coach praised his players for their focus and determination.
“My players really had the belief that they were stronger than the opponents, and we played well,” the 53-year-old said. “Two t times in a row, we were unlucky with penalties (against the UAE and Thailand). It was our lucky d day today.”
For goalscorer Rashed, left, progression to the next round made all the hard work worthwhile.
“We were expecting this to be a difficult group, and we did well to successfully navigate it. Our aim was to qualify to the round of 16, which we have now achieved,” Rashed said. knockout rounds for the first time in a generation.
The contribution of the bleachblond “Thai Messi,” Chanathip Songkrasin, cannot be underestimated after he scored a sublime winner against Bahrain and set up the equalizer as Thailand fought back to draw 1-1 with the UAE.
Interim coach Sirisak Yodyadthai said a change of mindset was key as Thailand scrambled out of the group stage for the first time since 1972, when they finished third as tournament hosts.
“After defeat against India, things weren’t looking so good for our team. But when I came in I felt that things needed to change,” said Sirisak, who was all smiles after finishing second in Group A.
“I gave determination and motivation to the players, and during the last two games I know that the players wanted to play well and get a positive result for the Thai team.
“So here we are — I’m so happy to make history for the Thai national team.”