Dubai: There will be no holding back as Bahrain and Thailand will be on a mission to seal the three points when they meet in an AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group A tie at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Thursday.



Both teams need to win, with Bahrain having conceded a late goal in their 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates while Thailand suffered a 4-1 defeat to India.

Bahrain looked set for the three points after taking the lead against UAE with Mohamed Al Romaihi breaking the deadlock in the 78th minute but were denied victory when Ahmed Khalil converted a spot-kick 10 minutes later.







Despite the heart-breaking draw on Saturday, Bahrain head coach Miroslav Soukup has full confidence his team will claim the three points in Dubai.

“Our team is ready,” said Soukup. “We are looking forward (to it), because if we want to qualify we can’t play for a draw.

“I hope that we will follow our performance from the second half in the match against the UAE and do our best to win against Thailand.”

In the 2017 Gulf Cup, Bahrain held teams like Iraq and Qatar to draws before eventually finishing as semi-finalists.

It is that fighting performance that Soukup wants his players to display against Thailand.

“If we want to challenge, we must create chances because this is the way to succeed.

“We want to really focus on our style, we want to go and play like the second half against the UAE. I trust that the players feel that this is a great chance to qualify from the group after the draw. I hope that my players do their best, not only for a good result but to win the game.”

Thailand, on the other hand, suffered a hefty loss against India which led to Milovan Rajevac’s removal.

Interim head coach Sirisak Yodyadthai believes the group is still wide open and they still stand a chance.

“In preparation for the game against Bahrain, we added a few things,” said Yodyadthai.

“Bahrain is very strong team, very physical and their players have a lot stamina. It’s lucky for us that Bahrain’s first match ended in a 1-1 draw and that gives us a chance to do better in this game and achieve a good result.

Yodyadthai said the War Elephants will give nothing less than their best against Bahrain.

“I have been an assistant to Rajevac since his appointment, and this is the same group of players that has been (with us) in the training camp. There are a lot of things we are adjusting tactically, where we’re trying to do better in our attacking and also focusing on our defence.

“Rajevac has already structured the team quite well, and what I’m trying to do for the next two games is to motivate the players.

“Obviously we want to give our fans something to cheer about. All the players and officials are going to do their best and show the Thai fans that we are still motivated.”


Source: the-afc.com