Ithsara lauds Thailand display, Shenaishil seeks Iraq response

چاپ خبر

The Southeast Asian side had only picked up two wins from their previous four campaigns combined but they turned in an impressive display to defeat the 2013 winners at the Al Janoub Stadium in their Group C encounter.

After Waris Choolthong put them ahead in the 26th minute, Thailand held the Iraqis off with a rugged defensive display before adding a second in the 65th minute through Teerasak Poeiphimai. While their opponents kept probing, Ithsara praised the way his team saw the game out.

“Big credit to the boys and they all did their best, both the ones who started and those who came on,” the 47-year-old said. “They kept a good defensive shape and we were really impressed with them tonight.”

Iraq head coach Radhi Shenaishil admitted that the Thais were well organised but lamented his side’s subpar display.

While the West Asian side saw more of the ball and registered a higher percentage of shots, they failed to get on the scoresheet and the former Iraqi defender demanded an immediate improvement in their remaining matches.

“The players did not deliver the (good) performances they showed from our training camps,” Shenaishil said. “It is different (between friendlies and competitive matches) but we did not show our true colours tonight. We have a strategy for every match and we should not have lost the points.

“We can do better and there are some mistakes we can avoid. We lost the match but not our chance to qualify and I want the players to reconsider their performance and do better for the next match.”

For Ithsara, the result was just reward for Thailand’s preparations as they clinched their first ever victory against Iraq at U23 level on their seventh attempt.

“We have scouted Iraq and we knew they had players with good potential, who are physically strong and had good technique,” he said.

“Every team has their own strengths and weaknesses… Today, we followed the way we wanted to play, we had good discipline and we knew how to exploit Iraq.”

Up next for Thailand on Friday are defending champions Saudi Arabia while Iraq will play Tajikistan.