Nothing but a victory will satisfy Thailand

FAVOURITES Thailand will not be satisfied with anything but a convincing win over Cambodia in tonight's semi-finals of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for Southeast Asian Youth Football Championship at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

Their head coach Kawin Kaehendecha has been working with his current squad for the past two years and the defending champions are no strangers to international tournaments.

"There'll be no changes in tactics tonight and we're going to continue attacking on the wing and play short passes to move forward," said Kawin, whose team employ a 3-5-2 formation.

"Even though we are the favourites, I have warned my players not to be overconfident as Cambodia didn't reach the semi-finals by luck," added the 51-year-old.

With two Thai forwards in the Everton FC junior squad leading the team in attack Naruphol Ar-Romsawa and Sakarin Chanyotha the Cambodians are hoping that their own forwards will cancel out the duo's impact.

Cambodian Premier League champions Kheamra have two strikers in the Cambodian team, Oum Kumpheak and Chan Chaya, and their partnership is sure to trouble any defence.

Combined with Khim Borey, who is a worthy replacement from the bench, the Cambodians have plenty of striking options.

Hul Sakada, Cambodia's manager, said their 5-0 victory over the Philippines last Wednesday which put them in the semis was a huge confidence booster for his side.

"Our fighting spirit is our main strength and I know Thailand are a strong team so I hope our tactic of playing more defensively will pay off tonight," said Sakada.

"Relying on our 4-4-2 formation and long balls into their box, we will assign two players to constantly disrupt the Thai attack," added Sakada.The Brunei Times