AFF Suzuki Cup

[SriRachaShark]

Unlikely. Vietnam have also said that they won't play in BKK.

[sideliner]

From what I understand, it will be a double header in Phuket with lots being drawn to see which match is played first. Not the best solution - surely it would have been better to play one of the games in Bangkok - but it is really immaterial for Thailand after their 6-0 win over Laos. It would take a stunning set of results to deny them a place in the semi-finals.

[sideliner]

The last group stage matches of Group B of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 will be played in Surakul Stadium, Phuket on 10 December 2008. Here's the schedule (hopefully this one is set in stone)
 
a) Thailand vs Malaysia - Kickoff at 1700 hr
 
b) Vietnam vs Laos- Kickoff at 1930 hr

[Vinnie]

I think the right decision has been made. It seemed silly to fly two teams up to Bangkok for the sake of one group game now that everyone is based in Phuket. But they should have used the stadium in Songkhla for one match tomorrow for the sake of simultaneous kick-off times.

[Vinnie]

Thailand did what was expected but I still think this was an impressive result by a second-string side playing on an awful pitch in bad conditions. Thailand barely got out of first gear and yet still played almost the entire match in Laos' half. I think Kosin got his first touch after 27 minutes!

[Vinnie]

Goals from both of last nights' games were shown on BBC World this morning! Fair play to them.

[SriRachaShark]

Was that the one when he nearly let it bounce over his head?!!!

Good to see Arthit get a start. And score two goals. Let's hope we can continue in the same way against Mal;aysia.

[SriRachaShark]

Goals from both of last nights' games were shown on BBC World this morning! Fair play to them.

I bet they had a fews laughs at Vietnam's third goal

[K.Sharkie]

Athit performced so well yesterday. It's so interesing to think about who will be the first choice in next match Arthit or Suthee.
Kosin had a few chance to save. It was difficult to compare between 2 golekeepers.

[Vinnie]

That was extraordinary. Who'd be a keeper?

[jakartacasual]

anyone coming down for the away leg 

[charade_2010]

Singapore is more dangerous than Indonesia .

[SriRachaShark]

anyone coming down for the away leg 

It's 50/50 at the moment. But I'll definitely be going to the home game.

Can I kip on your floor if I come down?

[jakartacasual]

no problem

[SriRachaShark]

I've been told that Thailand v Indonesia will be played at Rajamangala on the 20th. KO 7:00pm.

[reesemwo2]

i like watching Indonesia play. not to mention Thai ovcoarse.
how can i watch this game or see a replay?

[jakartacasual]

live on star sports

[Vinnie]

I assume the first leg will be on Channel 7, too?

[SriRachaShark]

I assume the first leg will be on Channel 7, too?

Yep! And the following days match will also be on Ch7.

[Vinnie]

Cheers.

[charade_2010]

SHARPENING THE FRONTLINE

JAKARTA (14 Dec 2008) – The Indonesia national team have been sharpening the frontline over the last several days at their base in Sawangan as they prepare to take on Thailand in the first-leg semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup on Tuesday.
 
Head coach Benny Dolo said that while the team possess the pace and the creativity to prise open their opponent's defence, converting the chances that they have created have been a problem.
 
"We have been hard at work in sharpening the frontline as we felt that against Singapore, we should have been able to do a lot better," said Benny, of the 2-0 loss they suffered against the defending champions.
 
"We do not want a repeat of what happened (against Singapore) when we take on Thailand next. We also need to vary our attacking options and we hope that we have done enough this week to trouble our opponents."

Indonesia will play Thailand in the first leg semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 on Tuesday at the Stadion Gelora Bung Karno before the return tie on Saturday at the Stadium Rajamangala.
 
Benny said that while Thailand will go into their semi-final clash confident after their peerless performance in the group stage in Phuket, still he believes that playing at home will give them the slight edge.
 
Thailand head into match with Indonesia with a perfect record – where they did not drop even a single point or even a single goal in the three matches they have played.
 
"There are obvious areas which we can exploit and that is what we have been working on in training after studying the Thai game," he quipped.

Confident Thailand leave for Jakarta

BANGKOK (14 Nov 2008) - Thailand left for Jakarta this morning – confident that they will get the better of their hosts Indonesia in the first leg semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 that will be played at the Stadion Gelora Bung Karno on Tuesday.
 
The Thais, who won Group B of the biennial championship, will take on Indonesia in the two-legged semi-finals that will be played in Jakarta and then in Bangkok on Saturday.
 
"Indonesia are a good team and difficult to beat on their home soil. But we have been in good form and will go to Indonesia with confidence," said Reid.
 
The three-times champions are overflowing with confidence after they disposed of their Group B opponents with ease and without conceding even a single goal.
 
They beat Vietnam 2-0 in their first game, Laos 6-0 in their second match and then Malaysia 3-0 in the final group tie.
 
"The team did very well in the group matches and to walk away without injuries is good," added Reid.
 
"We have studied tapes of Indonesia and I am sure that Thailand will get past them for a place in the final."
 
The away goal rule is not used in this tournament.
 
If a tie ends in a deadlock after regulation at the end of the two semi-final matches, then the outcome will be determined in extra time to be followed by penalty shootout.
 
Tickets for return tie of the Thailand-Indonesia match at the Rajamangala Stadium on Saturday have been priced at BAHT100, BAHT200, BAHT400 and BAHT600 and are available at Thai Ticket Major outlets.
Cheer Thailand   
                

[SriRachaShark]

I was hoping to go to Indonesia and, thanks to Jakarta Casual, I even had somewhere to stay. However, I wasn't able to get organised in time.

Not to worry. I have already got my ticket and a seat on the bus booked for Saturdays match. I'm really looking forward to these two games as it will be a pointer as to how far we've come under Peter Reid.

I'm going to stick my neck out here and predict a 1-1 draw in Indonesia with Thailand winning the second leg 3-0.

[charade_2010]

I'm going to stick my neck out here and predict a 1-1 draw in Indonesia with Thailand winning the second leg 3-0.

Yuck     I think Thailand will win 1-0 . Hope Teerathep will score . 

[jakartacasual]

just got back from the thai hotel where i had a good natter with steve darby and a shorter one with peter reid.

the pitch looks like it will be shit tomorrow

[charade_2010]

^ Yuck  !
Damn it  ! The main and the fourth referees are the Vietnamese  ! Take care , Thailand   

[Vinnie]

I'd take a draw tonight: poor pitch, likely rain, hostile crowd, I'll be more than happy with a draw.

[charade_2010]

Yuck     I think Thailand will win 1-0 . Hope Teerathep will score . 

My guess is correct   
AWAY GOAL RULE DOES NOT APPLY
HANOI (16 Dec 2008) – The away goal rule will not apply in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008.
 
After the completion of the Final Round Group Competition last week, the first and second placed teams of each group will play in the semi-final home and away matches.
 
With that, Indonesia will take on Thailand later tonight at the Stadion Gelora Bung Karno while Vietnam will play Singapore tomorrow at the My Dinh Stadium.
 
The first semi-final matches will end after the normal time of 90 minutes irrespective of the final result.
 
If the second semi-final matches end without any outright winner after the normal full time taking into account the first semi-final match results, there shall be an extension of two periods of 15 minutes each.
 
If no decisive result is obtained after the end of the extension time, the winner shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the decisions of FIFA.
 
The winners of the semi-final matches shall meet in the home and away final matches.
 

Teerasil's Early Goal Gives Thais The Edge

JAKARTA (Dec 16, 2008) - An early goal from Teerasil Dangda was enough to hand Thailand a slim 1-0 win over Indonesia in the first leg AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium tonight. The lone scorer tonight was Teerasil Dangda who stunned the Indonesia defence when he nodded Thailand ahead just five minutes into the game.

Indonesia, seeking a good result ahead of the second leg in Bangkok on Dec 20, battled back relentlessly but failed to breach the Thai defence. The Indonesians will now have the difficult task of trying to overcome their opponents away from their fans.
Indonesian coach Benny Dolo said it was not over. "The ball is round ... anything can happen. It's not impossible for us to recover and win away," he told a room jam-packed with journalists.
Benny admitted that it was his defenders who messed up. "No one challenged the Thai player when he went up to head the ball. We have not lost heart and will battle with all our might in Thailand," Benny vowed.
Thai coach Peter Reid, who was not too happy with his charges, said that the match was only half way through. "It's only half time, there's still another half to go in Bangkok. Today, I felt we could have done better and maybe scored more."
Reid picked out the Indonesian keeper Markus Harison Rihihina for keeping the score down. "He made some outstanding saves. But our strikers also had some great chances."
Markus, especially in the second half, was quick to stop at least
three clear shots from going in.
For the second match in succession, Indonesia conceded an early goal. In their last preliminary match against Singapore to determine the group champions, Indonesia were breached just minutes into the game. And tonight, in front of over 50,000 screaming fans, the hosts found themselves chasing the game from the fifth minute.
Thailand's Sutee Suksomkit crossed from the left and Teerasil Dangda leapt high and placed the ball into the top right corner, well beyond the reach of the lanky Markus Harison Rihihina.
Indonesia had a nasty scare five minutes later when Sutee's freekick smashed through but just before the referee Vo Minh Tri had blown for an infringement. Thailand picked up a another freekick in the 29th minute but Sutee's superbly struck shot was punched away. Ismed Sofyan, to the relief of the Indonesian bench, cleared what would have been a goal off the line after when his keeper was beaten.

About eight minutes after the re-start, Thai skipper Datsakorn Thonglao watched in despair as his strike hit the cross bar. Datsakorn was not done and in the 73rd minute, let loose a stinging shot which Markus saved.
With time quickly running out, Indonesia began to intensify their attacks. Benny replaced Bambang Irsyad Aras for Talaohu Abdulmushafry and Arif Suyono. Arif especially was a danger and soon after coming on, almost set up the equaliser but Nataporn Phanrit just narrowly managed to turn the ball away.
In the dying minutes, Arif raced in from the left and sent in a low cross into the box but Budi Sudarsono failed to control it.
 INDONESIA: Markus Harison Rihihina (GK), Charis Yulianto (Cpt), Ismed Sofyan, Isnan Ali, Irsyad Aras, Nova Arianto, Muhammad Ilham, Firman Utina, Ponaryo Astaman, Budi Sudarsono, Bambang Pamungkas
THAILAND: Kittisak Rawangpa (GK), Suree Sukha, Chonlatit Jantakam, Nataporn Phanrit, Datsakorn Thonglao (Cpt), Suchao Nutnum, Teerasil Dangda, Natthapong Samabna, Teeratep Winothai, Surat Sukha, Sutee Suksomkit
Thailand should have scored 4 or 5 goals . However , this winning is deserved for them . Congratulations the Thais     Hope Surat Sukha can play on Saturday too . 

[SriRachaShark]

A fairly comfortable victory I thought. Indonesia came back strongly after Thailand scored but never really threatened. Thailand had a couple of good chances to seal the game - most notably Leesaw's mis-kick in front of an open goal - had a goal disallowed and maybe should have had a penalty.

It will be interesting to read Jakarta Casual's thoughts on the match.

I'm feeling very confident ahead of Saturays second leg.

Peter Reid and his team must be feeling quite happy with themselves.

[jakartacasual]

and here they are!

http://jakartacasual.blogspot.com/2008/12/indonesia-v-thailand-0-1.html

[Vinnie]

I only saw the second-half so I can't comment too much. As jc says in his blog, both teams were playing attacking football and going for goals. It would have been easy and even understandable if Thailand had played for a draw last night, so PR gets a lot of credit for the positive nature of Thailand's play. The only slight complaint is why oh why did the Thai team push the panic button as soon as Indonesia had possession in the Thai half? It's going to happen lads, bit of composure please!

[bosoxpeteyboy]

hey guys..
I'm Thai... but currently living in United States
i really wanna see the game live, but i can't....
so could anyone of u pls tells me where and how i could watch the game online...
PLS!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!

[SriRachaShark]

Try here :

www.siamtv.org

Or here :

www.justin.tv.com

Good luck

[Webmaster]

http://www.udootv.com/2008/tv/

click on

[z]

bosoxpeteyboy...glad to see u here after big fight with those Singlish in Youtube ..i'm talerng...
..Ok best way to watch..u got to download "Sopcast" first then find Starsport...better quality than channel 7

[bosoxpeteyboy]

bosoxpeteyboy...glad to see u here after big fight with those Singlish in Youtube ..i'm talerng...
..Ok best way to watch..u got to download "Sopcast" first then find Starsport...better quality than channel 7

haha... yeah, i've seen u around too, Talerng
i just hated their idea of doing anything to win the cup~
u probably seen lots of F-word, N-word, M-word, B-word huh? haha
alright Talerng, i'll find u on utube and i'll add you

[bosoxpeteyboy]

bosoxpeteyboy...glad to see u here after big fight with those Singlish in Youtube ..i'm talerng...
..Ok best way to watch..u got to download "Sopcast" first then find Starsport...better quality than channel 7

haha.... for those who never seen my comments...
u could go to Youtube and search AFF SUZUKI CUP Thailand
almost every single vdo of thailand in the Suzuki cup, you will see my comments about the opposition (mostly to the SIngaporean..)  but it's kinda nasty though.. just a warning...

[bosoxpeteyboy]

well, i was very disappointed when i heard of the result.. Vietnam 1:0 Singapore~
anyway, what's your guys prediction on this match up???
has the Vietnamese improve after their lost to Thailand in Phuket???
  [/color]
Thailand SUSU~
Thailand SUSU~

[charade_2010]

Livewire Suchao Nutnum is banned after picking up two yellow cards in the semis while Sutee Suksomkit, whose brilliant left-foot free kick opener against Vietnam must be a contender for goal of the tournament, is struggling to recover from a hamstring problem that kept him out of the second leg semi victory over Indonesia.

“Suchao is going to be a big loss because he is an excellent footballer,” commented Thailand coach Peter Reid. “We have got a few days to decide who will replace him. I am sure we will miss him but somebody will go in there and do the job.

“Sutee has a slight hamstring problem. I showed some discretion and left him out against Indonesia in the second leg and I think that was the right decision. I could have lost him for six weeks.”

Reid, the former Sunderland and Manchester City coach, could bring in Krung Thai Bank midfielder Phichitpong Choeichiu or Tana Chanabut for Suchao while Chonburi’s Arthit Sunthornphit is poised to again replace Sutee.

Phichitpong, who has started once and come on as a replacement three times during Thailand’s campaign, wont give the team as much width as Suchao so Reid may opt for Tana who he regards chiefly as an impact player.

Like Sutee, Arthit is blessed with a magical left foot but the Chonburi wide man seemed strangely ill at ease against Indonesia and was substituted in the second half.

Calisto will be without defender Doan Viet Cuong for the match in Bangkok after he was sent off against Singapore.

Me too . I really want to see Thailand face Singapore in the final matches .
I don't think Vietnam improve after their lost to Thailand in Phuket . If you watch their matches , you will see they got some lucky .
Although Thailand often win Vietnam but don't despise .
I think Thailand will win 2-0 again .

เมืองไทยชนะ

[Vinnie]

I wouldn't like to make a prediction after last night's shock. I'm glad Vietnam have got through though; I don't approve of Singapore's multi-national 'national' side.

[bosoxpeteyboy]

Vietnam looks impressive to many people
but.. i think they just got lucky against Singapore.. i mean Singapore dominate the game, but Vietnam got the win
but that doesn't mean Vietnam will be a very easy opponent for Thailand...

[SriRachaShark]

I agree with Vinnie re Singapore. They should just rename themselves The S-League All Star Xl and do away with any pretence about being a "national" team.

Vietnam did ride their luck in the last twenty minutes or so on Sunday but over the two games I thought that they deserved to go through. They were easily the better side in the first match and could have won by 3 or 4.

As for a prediction, I expect Thailand to shade it. So, I'll go for 2-1 on aggregate.

[bosoxpeteyboy]

I agree with Vinnie re Singapore. They should just rename themselves The S-League All Star Xl and do away with any pretence about being a "national" team.

Vietnam did ride their luck in the last twenty minutes or so on Sunday but over the two games I thought that they deserved to go through. They were easily the better side in the first match and could have won by 3 or 4.

As for a prediction, I expect Thailand to shade it. So, I'll go for 2-1 on aggregate.

2-1??? i think that's too close, how 'bout 3-1..
Thailand 2-0 at home... then 1-1 in Hanoi..

[Vinnie]

I agree with Vinnie re Singapore. They should just rename themselves The S-League All Star Xl and do away with any pretence about being a "national" team.

If they want to just fill their side with anyone, regardless of nationality, then they might as well just become an 'ASEAN Monaco' and join the Malaysian or Indonesian league.

[bon-nirnam]

Winning at all cost despite alienating themselves from other ASEAN nations?

What do the youth football coaches explain to kids attending football clinic I wonder, Try hard and some days you'll have opportunities to play with our nuturalized footballers?

ASEAN:
Its aims include the acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the protection of the peace and stability of the region, and to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.[6]

[z]

hi..bosox ..i call them ..UNaturalized Sleague 11 team.....Viet clearly a better side than Spore in the semi....so they deserve to be in final with Thailand....S'pore just played predictable football the same way in every matches from cambodia till Vietnam match

[SriRachaShark]

Well played, Vietnam. I thought they looked very well organised. They defended well, worked hard and always looked dangerous when they broke, in numbers, from the back.

A very well crafted first goal followed by a composed second a couple of minutes later.

I felt that Thailand lacked ideas and didn't get down the flanks enough - on the two occasions we did it we scored!!. And, why was Arthit playing on the right?!!

Having said all that, I thought we should have had a penalty and I still don't know why our second"goal" was disallowed. It didn't look offside from where I was sitting but I'd like to see it again.

Still it's only half-time. Roll on Sunday!!

Incidentally, has anyone else been impressed by Vietnam's goalkeeper? He played well against the S-League All Star Xl and had a good game last night including a sesnsational point blank save in the first half. 

Finally, it was nice to meet up (briefly) with fellow message board member nigb last night. I look forward to having a longer chat next time 

[bon-nirnam]

I was very impressed by succession of quick one-touch plays by the Vietnamese.
Also, on a few occasions when the Thai players quickly closing in the vietnamese managed to make tight nifty turns and switch the ball to one or two touch to the weak side.

As for the Thais, cleary they have superior techniques but seemed to ran out of idea in offensive third.
Ultimately, they failed to impress their fans who bagan to once again believing in them.

This was the first time I saw the whole math of this tournament.

The Vietnamese are flying high. I only hope that Thailand will throw in kitchnen sink and make it a real battle in Hanoi to inspere theirs fans.

[charade_2010]

Anyways , I still cheer Thailand . I have supported them since SEA Games 22 and will never leave them .

[Nigb]

I'm trying to get the match stats, I'm sure Thailand had far greater possession and shots on goal. Between the Vietnamese goal keeper and ref, Thailand were denied about half a dozen times.
Can anyone tell me about a match where Thailand were beaten on the feild but managed a result?
The atmosphere was great, there seems to be a new excitement about Thai football. I spotted BEC Tero, Samut Sonkrahm, Faifa Ayutthaya and Chonburi flags.
Great to have a quick chat with Sriracha shark and Chonburi fanclub.

[Vinnie]

Well played, Vietnam. I thought they looked very well organised. They defended well, worked hard and always looked dangerous when they broke, in numbers, from the back.

A very well crafted first goal followed by a composed second a couple of minutes later.

I felt that Thailand lacked ideas and didn't get down the flanks enough - on the two occasions we did it we scored!!. And, why was Arthit playing on the right?!!

Having said all that, I thought we should have had a penalty and I still don't know why our second"goal" was disallowed. It didn't look offside from where I was sitting but I'd like to see it again.

Still it's only half-time. Roll on Sunday!!

Incidentally, has anyone else been impressed by Vietnam's goalkeeper? He played well against the S-League All Star Xl and had a good game last night including a sesnsational point blank save in the first half. 

Finally, it was nice to meet up (briefly) with fellow message board member nigb last night. I look forward to having a longer chat next time 

Yes, it was a penalty and Thailand's second 'goal' was onside. It looked onside to me before they showed the replays and sure enough it was.
We certainly seemed to have a problem whenever Vietnam decided to break forward but I do think that Thailand are a much better team than Vietnam. Though, as bon-nirnam rightly identified, it's what Thailand do in the final third, or rather don't do, that is still their main problem.