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Published on December 7, 2007

The hosts, who are making a bid to claim their eighth consecutive SEA Games title, made a stuttering start with the unconvincing 3-2 victory over Burma before turning in a performance befitting their status in the 8-0 mauling of Cambodia.

Given the results, Thailand top their group with six points, two better than the Indonesians in second place.

Having already qualified for the semi-finals, the hosts still need to end their group stage campaign with a blemish-free record in order for a comfortable placement in the last four.

Thongsuk Sumpahangsit, the national coach, who is in charge of the team for the first time in an international tournament, revealed he would field his strongest line-up despite the game being their third outing in six days.

"After having a talk with my staff, we'll put our best on the field. We made the decision on the ground that after this match we have as much as three days to recover," Thongsuk said.

"We also want our players to have more time playing together since we had a brief training prior to the tournament.  The co-ordination between players is still not good.

We will try for a 100 per cent record but I have also told the players to watch out for yellow cards and injuries.The Indonesians normally play in 4-3-3 formation, that means we need to be careful at both flanks," Thongsuk said.

The game will be broadcast live on TITV channel from 7.45pm.

The Nation