(VOVWORLD) - Thailand head coach Akira Nishino says he hopes that the War Elephants’ recent poor performance against arch foe Vietnam will improve tonight when two sides clash in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
 Nishino names goalkeeper Siwarak as Thailand new captain |
Thailand, once considered as the ASEAN powerhouse, have stayed winless against Vietnam this year at all levels.
However, Nishino didn't expect a triumph in tonight's match at Thammasat Stadium, saying he has not had enough time of preparations for the Thai national squad.
"This will be my first game as the head coach of the Thai national team. Although I have had a very short time, I will try my best to help Thailand achieve a good result," Nishino told a press conference yesterday.
The Japanese handed the captain armband to Buriram United goalkeeper SiwarakTedsungnoen, effectively ending any chance of Belgium-based KawinThamsatchanan featuring in the match.
"I have chosen Siwarak as the new captain of the team. He has lots of international experience and is the most senior player in the team," explained Nishino.
Nishino is likely to depend on three J-League stars -ChanathipSongkrasin, TheerathonBunmathan and ThitiphanPuangjan - in Thailand's first Group G match, which will start at 7pm.
The veteran coach, who took Japan to the knockout stage at the 2018 World Cup, said: "I have seen the tapes of Thailand's game with Vietnam in the King's Cup [in June]. We were never underdogs to them, we just didn't have a good scorer.”