3-4-3 (Gian)
While most of Nishino’s past teams have played with a back four, Thailand is conditioned to play a back three very well. Of the top six clubs in the Thai League (which supply all of the players except the foreign-based ones), at least four play with a 3-man defense regularly.
The big change for Thailand will be the midfield, which needs refreshing. Sarach Yooyen and Tanaboon Kesarat are no longer the best at their respective positions, and arguably only maintain their place because they were the returning ‘establishment’ picks of Coach Sirisak, who was too afraid to try anything different. Milovan Rajevac’s attempts to shake up the system need to be retried, but with greater care to mould the system to fit the players and not the other way around.
Peeradol Chamrasamee could work well as a deep-lying playmaker alongside the box-to-box energetic powerhouse Thitipan Puangchan, forming an all-rounded midfield. The lack of defensive cover in that partnership will be compensated by having an extra man in the defense.
In terms of the makeup of the defensive line, it effectively picks itself with Pansa and Manuel being the obvious choice. The third spot could go to Adisorn Promrak, who can aid in carrying the ball out of defense and distributing the ball. If Tanaboon remains in the team, the only conceivable place for him is probably as Adisorn’s backup in playing this kind of role.
Lastly, Supachok Sarachart’s domestic form warrants a start in my opinion. Operating with Chanathip up top, striker Supachai Jaided can be used primarily to make off-ball runs and free up space for the two diminutive attackers to do their thing. The pair of them could be lethal together, as both have immense creative ability and have shown their eye for goal. Imagine the havoc Chanathip caused the Bahraini or Emirati defenses at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup – except double. With Tristan and Theerathon providing the width, these two will be free to attack the half-spaces and upset the Vietnamese defense.