Thailand
Strengths – After 3 games, 1 area that has yet to disappoint the Thai fans is the fullbacks. Both Philip Roller and Korrakot Wiriyaudomsiri played the full 90 minutes in all previous matches, barely making any defensive mistakes and adding a few assists to their names already. Credit goes to head coach Milovan Rajevac and his hard work with the players in training. To be able to juggle both offensive and defensive responsibility is a huge task, especially when you are forced to break down teams who park the bus and have to be mindful of the fact that that the opposition could hit you on the counter as well.
Weaknesses – Thailand’s biggest issue heading into the final group fixture his about how should they mentally prepare for the game. ‘The War Elephant’ is guaranteed qualification as long as they could avoid defeat on Sunday, though it is often said that playing for a draw is one of the toughest things to do in football. And should Thailand go all attack, that would directly play into the visitor’s hands. We all saw Thailand’s sloppy start in the Indonesia game, and Rajevac surely wouldn’t want a repeat of that. A balanced approach with every player fully focused on the game from the first to the last whistle is what Thailand need but this is easier said than done.
Player to Watch – Supachai Jaided
2 goals from 125 minutes of game time in your first AFF Cup campaign isn’t such a bad return for a 19 year old attacker. Supachai Jaided netted Thailand’s opener at Panaad stadium and had a decent game overall partnering Adisak Kraisorn up front, often drifting to link up play on the left. A good finisher with great off the ball movement who’s always in the right place at the right time, Supachai is comfortable anywhere in attack. It’s unsure whether the Football Tribe’s “Thai League young player of the year” will start on Sunday, but Supachai will surely play a part at some point.
Singapore
Strengths – The 4-time South-East Asian champions head into this tournament with a very solid squad. Their greatest strength is perhaps that they don’t have any real weakness. Izwan Mahbud, Safuwan Baharudin, Hariss Harun and Khairul Amri are all experienced players from the cup winning team of 2012. Singapore have managed to strike a perfect balance by adding young, exciting players such as the Fandi brothers and Faris Ramli. They have faith in head coach Fandi Ahmad’s tactics and look really dangerous down the flanks and from set pieces.
Weaknesses – Singapore looked confident during all their games, but what is their plan B? Fandi Ahmad’s men didn’t have to switch things up much against Indonesia or Timor-Leste but the side looked completely lost when went 1-0 down against the Philippines. Take Khairul Amri or Shahril Ishak as an example. Both are experienced veterans, but do they offer anything different to Gabriel Quak or Ikhsan Fandi in terms of style of play? Cup competitions are won and lost on the smallest margins, and therefore, Singapore should get their plan B sorted if they want to have a better chance against Thailand or other nations if they qualify.
Player to Watch – Hariss Harun
Skipper Safuwan Baharudin may have had a great game against Timor-Lest but Singapore’s overall stand out performer this tournament has got to be midfield general, Hariss Harun. The captain, who plies his trade for Malaysian powerhouse Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, scored the winner on matchday one and has been a major influence in the team ever since. Hariss Harun’s box-to-box style of play adds numbers in both attack and defence. A crucial element of his play is the ability to help track back and stop opponents offensive runs, which could prove crucial against Thailand’s box-to-box midfielders.
Prediction
The draw with the Philippines was seen as a bit of a let down by some groups of fans, and the Thai players will be looking to redeem themselves on Sunday. Singapore looked dangerous from set pieces, one of Thailand’s weakness, and they can put themselves in a good position with a solid start to the game. However, you can’t deny the quality of the home side, and Thailand are surely the more likely winners at the Rajamangala Stadium.
Obb Deewajin
Football Tribe Thailand