What Went Wrong For Thailand in Vietnam Defeat?

Unusual defensive positioning

The first glance, starting the back-3 of Adisorn Promrak, Pansa Hemviboon, and Suphan Thongsong made perfect sense. These players have performed well with the national team previously and deserve their starting chance.

Yet, head coach Sirisak Yodyardthai went on to complicate things by fielding Pansa Hemviboon on the right side of the three, even though the Buriram veteran played on the left at club level. Vice versa for Adisorn, who was shifted to the left.

After only one minute on the pitch, a miscommunication occurred between Pansa and goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan. To be fair, this error could have happened because Pansa and Kawin hardly ever have the chance to play together. However, it more likely happened because Pansa has to reorient his body position in a completely opposite way than he is used too.

Time on the training pitch is extremely limited in International football, therefore, fielding players to fulfill roles that they are accustomed too might have been the wiser option.

The Sarach-Tanaboon pairing failed miserably

Pairing an out-of-form Sarach Yooyen alongside an off-the-pace Tanaboon Kesarat was a mistake. The two rose to fame in Kiatisuk Senamuang possession-based system during the mid-2010s, replicating Barcelona’s Busquets-Xavi role in the 4-3-3 formation. They also started the last match Thailand and Vietnam met 4 years ago, a 3-0 away win for the War Elephant with that famous ‘Tiki-Taka’ goal.

Unfortunately, football tactics have moved on, from controlling possession to having the ability to win back possession. Vietnam's aggressive pressing disrupted Thailand’s buildup play and completely isolated Sarach for the entire first half.

As for Tanaboon, was simply half a step too slow compared to everyone else on the pitch, including his own teammates. He was often over-run by the visitor’s forwards and conceded a couple of pointless fouls due to late challenges. The gap in intensity between the Thai second tier - where he currently plays for BG Pathum United - and an international fixture against the reigning Southeast Asian champions is massive, and it looks as though Tanaboon was struggling cope with the situation.

Supachai Jaided is not suited to be a lone striker

Starlet Supachai Jaided is an amazing talent who burst onto the scene at the AFF Suzuki Cup and the AFC Asian Cup thanks to his ability to consistently provide end product, either through goals or assists. However, this game showed that the 20-year-old is not suited to lead the line as a lone striker.

Physically, Supachai is not the fastest or strongest. He doesn’t have to power to shoot from distance or quick feet to dribble past an opponent in one-on-one duels. His unique gift is the instinct to find space. To be at the right place at the right time (see his goal against the Philippines as an example). Supachai is at his most dangerous when moving into space, either from the number ten position or from wide areas. Using him as a lone striker, on the other hand, limits Supachai’s freedom to roam, thus weakening his great asset.

Some may point to Supachai’s two attempts in the first half as evidence of his influence on the game, but those are really just half-chances, the result of a long ball and scrappy throw in respectively. He wasn’t able to bring any of his teammates into play, meaning the Thai's attack was almost non-existent and consequently, making it easier for Vietnam to pressure Thailand within their own half. Supachai’s game improved in the second half as he dropped slightly towards the central midfielders but he still misplaced many of his passes.

Questionable substitutions

Credits to Sirisak where he deserves, the head coach was spot on when he substituted Sumanya Purisai for Sarach Yooyen. The Port FC playmaker is more adventurous with his vertical passes, and it really helped Thailand break through Vietnam’s pressing front line.

Nonetheless, the decision to wait till the last ten minutes before making other substitutions is hard to understand - let alone the fact that Sirisak turned to a 16-year-old kid despite having three established strikers on the bench - one of whom was waiting to make his 100th appearance for the national team!

This is not meant to criticize Suphanat Mueanta, whose future looks extremely promising. However, bringing him on did seem more like a hopeful decision rather than a strategic one. He may be unfit, but Teerasil Dangda is by far Thailand’s best finisher and could definitely last ten minutes. Additionally, Adisak did fine at the China Cup and is a proven SEA-level goalscorer. Even sending on Surachart Sareepim as a battering ram would have made more sense considering erratic nature of the game at that point. Rather, Sirisak went looking for a miracle instead of a tactical solution.