Tehran: Thailand coach Kiatisuk Senamuang has warned his players not to underestimate Iraq when both sides face off in Thursday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifier.
The Thais are currently flying high in Group F and will seal their place in the next round of FIFA World Cup qualifying, as well as an automatic AFC Asian Cup berth, as long as they avoid defeat against Iraq at the neutral venue of the Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium.
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The two teams played out a 2-2 draw in their previous meeting last September, with Thailand showing tremendous resolve after netting twice in the final ten minutes to come back from being two goals down.
Iraq’s preparations for the upcoming clash have not been ideal following last week’s 1-0 defeat to Syria, although Kiatisuk is adamant the War Elephants will still have to show their opponents due respect.
“Although they lost in the warm-up match, their tactics are quite dangerous,” the 42-year-old told the Bangkok Post.
“They blend players from their full national team and U-23 squad, which recently qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
“I think Iraq will shuffle their players to upset their game plan.”
The War Elephants will also have the weather to contend with as they were greeted by chilly conditions in Tehran following a 15-hour flight from Bangkok over the weekend.
Nonetheless, Kiatisuk is confident his players will acclimatise in time for Thursday’s pivotal encounter.
He added: “The weather in Tehran is a concern as it is quite cold. We have contacted a doctor in Iran already so the boys will be looked after well.
“We have come many days in advance to help the players get used to the weather here.”
Thailand have never played at a World Cup but have qualified for the Asian Cup on six previous occasions, with their best display coming in 1972 when they finished in third place on home soil.
Source: the-afc.com