AFF Suzuki Cup Final 2016 : Why Thais must Brace for Bogor Battle

Coach Kiatisak Senamuang is advising defending champions Thailand to brace for Wednesday's first leg of this year's Suzuki Cup final against Indonesia in Bogor as if it were the decisive battle.

The War Elephants landed in Jakarta yesterday for the match which is likely to attract a huge crowd of about 40,000 at Stadion Pakansari.

Kiatisak told his players that they should forget there is a home leg of the Southeast Asian championship showdown to be played at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium on Saturday.

"I have been telling them to take this match as a one-off final and assume that the title depends on the outcome of the game on Wednesday," said Kiatisak.

The Thai coach added, "Winning this match in challenging conditions is our target.
"The Indonesian football fans can become hostile as we have experienced in the past. It will be a big test for our players, handling the pressure over there.

"They will want to make the most of their home ground advantage and I am expecting them to play an attacking game."

Kiatisak, a former national team striker, said: "I am not sure about the other generations, but I have never lost to the Indonesians on their turf. The players can take heart from that."
He once again stressed that his players should "stay focused and keep their cool. In the 2002 final, defender Chukiat Noosalung was red-carded at a crucial time, but we went on to win the penalty shoot-out. We need to avoid such incidents."

Thailand won their third Southeast Asian title in 2002. The event was known as the Tiger Cup at the time.

Meanwhile, key defender Tanaboon Kesarat said his ankle injury was still bothering him: "I will have to wait for the final check-up in Indonesia to know if I can play on Wednesday.
"Indonesia have played well in this tournament. They have a good striker and their wingers are very quick as well.

"Although they lost 4-2 to us in the first round, they were impressive. We have to be careful playing against them on their home ground. We simply cannot afford to underestimate them."

Striker Teerasil Dangda and defender Prathum Chutong, who limped out of a training session on Saturday, are also nursing injuries.

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