2019 Asian Cup — A Few Thoughts On India’s Massive Win Over Thailand
By: Sivan John
Tags: Asian Cup, Football, India, Thailand, Sports

If there was one Asian Cup fixture that I had to pick from the group stage, it's going to be Thailand vs India. I knew right from the beginning, this is a fixture I’m not going to miss it for the world. Over the last few years, both nations have undergone compelling times in their football excursion which brought them to the Emirates.

Both teams have players that I have nothing but admiration. On one hand, there is Chanathip Songkrasin, the Elephant Warriors wonder boy. The fact that he is nicknamed as Messi Jay, says everything about his football. Then there is Sunil Chhetri, the Blue Tigers assassin who is capable of a killer shot from any angle.

Being group together with the host and Bahrain, both teams knew that this was a must-win game. At all cost, both coaches were under pressure to start on the right foot.

And oh boy what a game we were given for a treat!

I’m not going to into the details of the game, rather just sharing a few thoughts. For me, its just one of those game where the scoreline doesn’t do justice to what actually took place on the pitch. The Thais had their moment when the game still had everything to play for. But football is all about a game of chances. Its either you create and convert them, or be prepared to regret and get punished by them.

In the end, India did just the opposite of Thais. I still haven’t to come terms the outcome of how they have dismantled the Thais. That was one sensational performance. Looking back at that third goal, I get the sense of eroticism running all over my body.

In the last few years since I’ve been following the Blue Tigers, the name Stephen Constantine often doesn’t ring a comfort bell for most Indian football enthusiast. Some of those critics have been reasonable, to say the least. But for once, Constantine deserves all the praise for getting things right. He outsmarts his opponent tactically knowing the Thais technically better.

Coming into this tournament, I felt the Thais were better equipped than their opponent of the day. They had more exposure from their time taking part in the World Cup qualifier final round. The experience they gain from playing against Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were priceless. For their part, they did achieve some respectable outcome against those teams.

Also worth noting is their club sides that regularly compete in the AFC Champions League. The likes of Muanthong United and Buriram have become household names in the continent. So where did it all go wrong for them?

For a start, I would say the moment when previous national team coach Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang stood down from his post. Since his departure, things have gone downhill. Zico was an integral figure in the Thai rise over the last five years. The players look up to him and have deep respect for the former Huddersfield Town and Perlis FA man.

What took place behind the scenes in the Thailand Football Association that forced him through the exit door remains a mystery.

I’m still hopeful that Thailand can pull off something in their remaining two matches. It will be a shame that everything which they’ve build will only live shortly in the Asian Cup. But the odds are just stacked against them.

At the same time, it’s unfair to shoulder the blame on their coach Milovan Rajevac. Preparation has been hardly ideal with a big chunk of the squad suffering from lethargic following their involvement in the AFF Suzuki Cup. Losing his No.1 keeper Kawin also another added factor. Of course, he had the luxury of selecting players from the J-League but that only helps a fraction of their cause.

Oh, onelast thing, a tweet of mine during the game was getting plenty of attention.

I would just like to make myself clear that I intend to spread no bad vibes of Thai food. I just never really fancied those green curry dishes. But give me a Tom Yam, grilled cuttlefish, Pad Krapow Moo Saap, Pad Thai, kai yang or milk tea, my appetite will go up the roof.

Sawadee krap!