Thailand have been boosted by the return of striker Teeratep Leesaw as they look to upset the odds against Iran in an Asian Cup Group E qualifier at Rajamangala Stadium tomorrow night.
A lack of cutting edge was evident during Thailand's creditable goalless draw in Jordan last week, a game the 23-year-old Lierse player missed as he had just moved to the Belgian club.
Having now featured for his new employers, Teeratep is back in the fold although is unsure whether he will get the nod from boss Peter Reid to start.
"I talked to Peter Reid occasionally on the phone and he said he needed me for the Iran match," he said.
"It's up to him whether he wants me to start the game. I'll accept his decision. He changed the system to play with only a lone striker while I was absent. So, he might revert to the old one."
Reid, meanwhile, has implored his side to maintain their focus for the entire 90 minutes if they are to take anything from their more illustrious opponents.
"We seem to lose concentration near the end of the game," he said.
"We conceded late goals against Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup and Denmark in the King's Cup."
Iran began their Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a comprehensive 6-0 drubbing of Singapore at home but coach Ali Daei warned a sterner examination awaits in Bangkok.
"Thailand are a good team and can test us," he said.
"They held Jordan away from home, which was a good result. They are a fast and well-prepared team."
Singapore will be without the suspended Ismail Yunos after the full-back was sent off against Iran and coach Raddy Avramovic is keen to consign the experience in Tehran firmly to the past when they take on Jordan at the National Stadium.
"Coming back from, Iran everyone was feeling down as it was a shocking result but the big point about this team in the last couple of years is the team spirit and they have recovered from the defeat," he said.
"The players are determined to put the Iran game behind them."
Jordan coach Nelo Vingada, meanwhile, will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes for the game in Singapore despite the disappointing stalemate against the Thais.
"I prepare my team according to the level of their abilities and as such I do not try to change too much," he said.
"The second game is the most difficult because a bad result doesn't necessarily close the door and a good result doesn't open the door either. However, three points will be a big step forward."
Having now featured for his new employers, Teeratep is back in the fold although is unsure whether he will get the nod from boss Peter Reid to start.
"I talked to Peter Reid occasionally on the phone and he said he needed me for the Iran match," he said.
"It's up to him whether he wants me to start the game. I'll accept his decision. He changed the system to play with only a lone striker while I was absent. So, he might revert to the old one."
Reid, meanwhile, has implored his side to maintain their focus for the entire 90 minutes if they are to take anything from their more illustrious opponents.
"We seem to lose concentration near the end of the game," he said.
"We conceded late goals against Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup and Denmark in the King's Cup."
Iran began their Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a comprehensive 6-0 drubbing of Singapore at home but coach Ali Daei warned a sterner examination awaits in Bangkok.
"Thailand are a good team and can test us," he said.
"They held Jordan away from home, which was a good result. They are a fast and well-prepared team."
Singapore will be without the suspended Ismail Yunos after the full-back was sent off against Iran and coach Raddy Avramovic is keen to consign the experience in Tehran firmly to the past when they take on Jordan at the National Stadium.
"Coming back from, Iran everyone was feeling down as it was a shocking result but the big point about this team in the last couple of years is the team spirit and they have recovered from the defeat," he said.
"The players are determined to put the Iran game behind them."
Jordan coach Nelo Vingada, meanwhile, will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes for the game in Singapore despite the disappointing stalemate against the Thais.
"I prepare my team according to the level of their abilities and as such I do not try to change too much," he said.
"The second game is the most difficult because a bad result doesn't necessarily close the door and a good result doesn't open the door either. However, three points will be a big step forward."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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