Sports News - Tuesday December 11, 2007
SEA GAMES / SOCCER
Champions ready for Singapore revenge bid
TOR CHITTINAND
Nakhon Ratchasima _ Seven-time defending champions Thailand are confident that they will finish off Singapore in the semi-finals today.
The match will kick off at 7.45pm and be televised live on Channel 3. The other semi-final pits Vietnam against Burma.
Thailand coach Thongsuk Sampahangsit said he had warned his men to be careful about Singapore's counter-attack and stayed focused for the whole game.
He said if his players could play in accordance with his game plan they would certainly beat Singapore in 90 minutes and qualify for the final.
Thailand lost to Singapore in the Asean Championships earlier this year and Thongsuk said it would be sweet revenge if his men could beat their rivals.
He will make to change to the line-up Sivaluk Tedsungnoen replacing Weera Kerdputsa in goal and Natthapong Samana in for Wisarut Pannasi as left-back.
On-fire strikers Teerathep Winothai and Anon Sangsanoi, who have scored four goals apiece, will lead the Thai attack.
Singapore's Serbian coach Rodojko Avramovic said although Thailand were favourites his team had a chance to beat them.
''We have nothing to lose,'' he said. ''We do not come here to give up.''
He said he had told his players not to be intimidated by the roaring home supporters.
In their previous 12 SEA Games matches, Thailand won seven and lost only once with the four draws. They last met at the 2001 Games in Malaysia where Thailand won 1-0 in the first round.
Meanwhile, The Thai women's team hammered Laos 8-0 to reach the final with Janpen Sriserm and Nisa Romyen scoring two goals each.
Thailand will take on defending champions Vietnam in the final on Thursday. The Vietnamese defeated Burma 2-1 in the other semi-final yesterday.
PROBABLE THAILAND MEN'S TEAM
Goalkeeper: Sivaluk Tedsungnoen
Defenders: Natthapong Samana, Jeera Jaroensuk, Kiatprawut Saiwaew and Prat Samakrat
Midfielders: Adul Lasoh, Apipoo Sunthornpanawet, Arthit Sunthornphit and Wutthichai Tatong
Strikers: Teerathep Winothai and Teerasil Dangda
By : Bangkok Post
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