Bt10m reward for clinching King's Cup hat-trick

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Bt10m reward for clinching King's Cup hat-trick

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam 
The Nation

 

The Thai players celebrate after beating Gabon.

 

A Bt10 million incentive awaits the Thailand’s national team on Sunday night if they beat Slovakia and win the King’s Cup for the third year running.

 

Milovan Rajevac’s side put on a great show to win a thrilling penalty shootout 4-2 against Gabon in Thursday’s opening game in front of 25,000 spectators. 

 

That win alone has already earned them a Bt5 million bonus from the Football Association of Thailand and a further Bt5 million will go their way if they prevail over the European visitors on Sunday.

 

The Kingdom’s players have shown impressive progress under the guidance of their Serbian coach. 

 

They employed the type of high-pressing game currently in vogue in Europe, had a great deal of possession and generated more scoring opportunities against a Gabon side featuring several players from European clubs. 

 

The visitors were, however, significantly weaker for the absence of Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who failed to make the trip to Thailand following the death of his grandmother.

 

The Panthers were also missing defender Bruno Ecuele Manga and winger Denis Bouanga, who opted to stay and continue training with their clubs, respectively Championship side Cardiff City and FC Lorient of French Ligue 2.

 

Milovan Rajevac and Somyot Poompanmoung 

 

Nevertheless, Thai Football Association of Thailand (FAT) chief Somyot Poompanmoung was full of praise for the “War Elephants”.

 

“I’ve seen a tremendous change in the team. They showed determination and made a great effort. They even played better than Gabon in my view,” said Somyot, who also praised the fab four of Kawin Thammasatchanan of OH Leuven, Chanathip Songkrasin of Consadole Sapporo , Teerasil Dangda of Sanfrecce Hirsoshima and Teeranthon Bunmathan of Vissel Kobe for applying what they had learned in overseas leagues for the benefit of the national team.

 

“Part of the big improvement is because the four men playing internationally. From my point of view we should have won in the normal time,” Somyot said.

 

The Football Association of Thailand president is confident his team will complete the King’s Cup hat-trick tomorrow and is hoping for a big turn-out tomorrow.

 

It is a tall order though – their opponents Slovakia are world-ranked 29 and also impressed in beating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in Thursday’s opening game.

 

“Perhaps not many fans showed up on Thursday because of the heavy traffic in the Ramkamhaeng area. I believe that if more fans come and support the team on Sunday, the team will be even more inspired to win. I promise they will be rewarded with another Bt5 million if they retain the title,” said Somyot.

 

Rajevac, who guided Ghana to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa, could also be pleased with his own  contribution – his decision to get his players to practice penalties in training was wholly vindicated.

 

He wanted his defenders to get a mention too, saying he, was equally happy that Gabon failed to score. 

 

Tomorrow promises to be an even more daunting task, though – Slovakia have lost just three times in their last nine matches  and also beat Thailand in the 2004 final … via a penalty shoot-out.

 

“They are a very strong European team,” coach Rajevac said of the Slovaks. “They are full of good players and it will be hard work for us.”

 

Gabon will play the United Arab Emirates for third place on Sunday (4.30pm) before Thailand meet Slovakia in the final (7.30pm). If you can’t get to the game it will also be shown live on Thai Rath TV32.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30341593

 

 

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