Nonthaburi: Goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan has revealed that Muangthong United’s successful start in the 2017 AFC Champions League is down to hard work on the training pitch as the Thai champions prepare to host Brisbane Roar at Thunderdome Stadium on Wednesday.
Having never before made it into the knockout round, Muangthong have opened the continental competition with two wins and two draws and currently sit top of Group E, while Kawin has been in outstanding form in keeping three clean sheets in four games.
Muangthong played out a goalless draw at Brisbane on Matchday One and have gone from strength to strength ever since, claiming home wins over Kashima Antlers and Ulsan Hyundai either side of a second successive scoreless draw away from home with Ulsan.
And a third home win on the bounce on Wednesday will now guarantee a first-ever appearance in the Round of 16 with a game to spare.
“After the new head coach (Totchtawan Sripan) came in last year, he worked very hard on tactics and teamwork,” explained Kawin, who has only conceded once in four Group E fixtures.
“The results of this is what you have seen this year in the AFC Champions League. The results have been very good as we have been ready to challenge every team and go for the win.”
Muangthong have only once previously made the group stage of the continental competition, back in 2013, when they lost five from six and exited with just a solitary point.
Between 2010 and 2016, meanwhile, the side were eliminated at the qualifying stages five times in seven years, but gained an automatic passage into the tournament this year as champions of Thailand.
And, after winning a first-ever AFC Champions League match in a 2-1 victory over Kashima at the end of February, the side picked up four points from two games against 2012 winners Ulsan and now look a force to be reckoned with on the continent.
Muangthong claim a 1-0 victory over Ulsan Hyundai in mid-April
“Muangthong have participated in the competition in the past but (in 2013) I didn’t take part because of injury problems,” added Kawin.
“This is the first time I’ve competed in the group stage so the past games have been some of the greatest moments for me.”
One of the reasons behind Muangthong's success is the side is littered with Thailand internationals that have helped the Nonthaburi-based club wrestle power back from Buriram United, who won three consecutive league titles between 2013 and 2015 before Muangthong's victory last year.
Kawin is also a key component of the national team, who, in their previous FIFA World Cup qualifier – a 4-0 defeat to Japan that ended the War Elephants’ chances of progressing to Russia next year – fielded eight Muangthong players.
And although things may not have gone as well as hoped on the international scene in what has admittedly been a big step up for Thailand, at club level Muangthong are surpassing expectations and show no sign of letting up.
“Our goal is to be in the final,” admitted Kawin. “But we have to look at each match one at a time in order to qualify from the group stage.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com