Thailand Malaysia

Thailand and Malaysia coaches: Chance to win gold medal are equal for both team

Malaysia and Thailand claimed the chances to win SEA Games football gold medal were equal for both teams.

The hosts and the defending champions will square off in the men’s final at the Shah Alam Stadium on Tuesday.

“Thailand always field a good team, be it an age-group side or their senior squad. They are always favourites,” said Kim Swee at the pre-match press conference on the previous day, as quoted by The Star.

“But for this final, I believe there are no favourites. We are playing at home and we want to achieve the best result possible.”

Meanwhile, Thailand team assistant coach Naruephon Kaenson, who represented head coach Worrawoot Srimaka at the press conference, believed that there was no outright favourite for the crown.

“Our players are injury-free and we are confident we can do well,” he added.

Malaysia have lost to Thailand in every one of their last three encounters, most recently a 3-0 defeat in the AFC Under-23 qualifiers in Bangkok in July.

However, this time the Ong Kim Swee’s side will have a slight advantage with the backing of the 80,000-capacity crowd at the stadium, and millions more at home.