Defeat a welcome reminder for Thailand, declares Rodrigo

Published on: 20 May 2017

Bangkok: After seeing his players suffer their first defeat of their AFC U-20 Futsal Championship campaign on Saturday, Thailand head coach Miguel Rodrigo is adamant that the defeat to Iraq will serve as a timely wake up call.

With both teams already through to the tournament’s knockout phase, the match was a contest for top spot in Group A, but despite being roared on by their vociferous home support Thailand lost 7-3 to finish as runners-up to their West Asian rivals.

“I am happy, even with the result,” Rodrigo testified. “After Friday’s match [against Afghanistan], the team must have felt like they were superstars, and were overconfident going into match with Iraq.

“The match served a medicine to give us humility. This is what we need moving forward, to remind ourselves that the matches ahead will be as tough or even tougher than today.”

The Spaniard was, however, also quick to congratulate Iraq for their highly creditable performance, one which saw them record a fifth successive victory.

“Mentally and physically, we were on different levels. Iraq had to play us in our home ground and fought hard despite of that.

“I respect matches like this, pure competition and energy. Maybe our mental preparation wasn’t enough, but we have to move forward and prepare for the quarter-finals.”

Thailand will now move on to face Group B winners Indonesia in the last eight on Monday at the Bangkok Arena. ​

Photo: AFC

Source: the-afc.com

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