We will regain the title, says Chanwit
[SOCCER] Thailand geared up for the Asean Football Champion-ship with a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Thailand Premier League outfit Provincial Electric Authority (PEA) yesterday, leaving the national team's head
coach Chanwit Pholchivin in a confident mood that his side will regain the title they last won five years ago.
Chanwit's high-flying side is aiming to clinch their second trophy in less than a month after an impressive win in the King's Cup in December. In the preliminary group stage of the Asean Football Champion-ship, formerly known as the Tiger Cup, which kicks off on Friday, the three-time champions have been drawn in Group B along with Burma, Malaysia and the Philippines. The Kingdom put on a relatively strong line-up against the PEA in their last tune-up match ahead of the biennial event and reaped rich rewards, with goals from Kwanchai Feungprakorb, Sutee Suksomkit and Jakkrit Bunkam rounding off a good performance. With the confidence of players sky high, Chanwit is upbeat that his King's Cup winning side should not have a problem in clearing their first hurdle against Burma. "I'm satisfied with the team's performance and the outcome, particularly the attacking plays. Everything seems to be in place for my team as the players showed better understanding both in defence and attack. The lads are close to 100 per cent fit," Chanwit said. "The opening match against Burma will be a tough one as we had drawn 2-2 with them in the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia last year. We are going to field our senior side for the tournament not the Asian Games squad that did duty in the Merdeka Cup, so hopefully we should seal three points." The Thailand-Burma match will be held at Suphachalasai stadium on Friday at 7pm after the game between the Philippines and Malaysia.
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