Respect, not fear, Thailand: Stange

SINGAPORE — Bernd Stange would love to get Singapore off to a flying start for the ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup but, deep down, he knows he must tread with caution against Thailand, their opening match opponents, tomorrow at the National Stadium.

The German-born coach believes his squad have done just about everything right in their lead-up to the tournament, including consecutive wins over Laos and Cambodia in their final two warm-up matches.

The wins have put the team in a good mood ahead of the group matches, where Malaysia and Myanmar lie in wait.

“We are ready,” he declared and, for him, the Thais are only another opponent in the group.

“Of course, it will be a difficult match (against the Thais), but we are confident enough to face them. Respect for them we must have, but we shouldn’t fear them,” said Stange,who has also done his fair share of groundwork for the tournament.

Goalkeeping coach Lee Bee Seng has watched the Thais in their three recent friendlies — against China in Wuhan last month; against the Korat Club side and against New Zealand in the northern Thai city of Nakorn Ratchasima last week.

SQUAD FOR AFF SUZUKI CUP 2014

Under coach Kiatisuk Senamuang, the Thais have put up some impressive performances, continuing from where they left off at the Asian Games in Incheon, where they finished fourth.

After the 2-0 win over New Zealand, the team flew in yesterday, with Kiatisuk bringing a squad that included most of the Under-23 players who went to Incheon and a handful of experienced hands, such as skipper Adul Lasoh, 27-year-old striker Kirati Kaewsombut and goalkeeper Kawin Thammasatchanan.

“Modern football should be like that — youthful talent and attractive football, which can bring the crowd to the stadium,” said Kiatisuk. “That’s why I have opted for youth in my team. I can recall some experienced players for the national team, such as Panupong (Wongsa) and Datsakorn (Thonglao). But I rather stick to younger ones and help develop their careers over, say, a five-year period.”

That is the path that Stange has chosen for the Lions as well, discarding the veterans who played their part in Singapore’s triumph two years ago and focusing on youth.

Tomorrow’s starting XI should feature two 22-year-olds in attack — Faris Ramli, who scored his first international goal against Cambodia in Singapore’s 4-2 win last week, and Shahfiq Ghani.

Stange has delayed naming his final 22 because he wants to have a final look at the condition of defenders Madhu Mohana and Faritz Hameed, but both are not expected to make the cut, having spent long periods on the sidelines because of injury.

Khairul Amri, 29, has been singled out by Kiatisuk as Singapore’s dangerman and should lead the three-man attack, while the heart of the engine room will be manned by the dependable Hariss Harun, with Shahdan Sulaiman and skipper Shahril Ishak the providers.

In the back four, Baihakki Khaizan and Safuwan Baharudin are the vaunted central defensive partnership, with Saiful Esah and Shakir Hamzah on either side.

Hassan Sunny is expected to wear the No 1 jersey, taking over Izwan Mahbud, who has yet to recover fully from an ankle injury.

“For me, Singapore are a very experienced team. They can depend on Khairul (Amri) and also Hariss to show the way. Furthermore, they have home-ground advantage. I would put them as favourites ahead of us,” said Kiatisuk.

SINGAPORE FACT FILE

Nickname: The Lions

Coach: Bernd Stange

FIFA world ranking: 161

AFF Suzuki Cup record: Winners in 1998, 2004, 2007, 2012

Matches: Group B — Thailand (Nov 23), Myanmar (Nov 26), Malaysia (Nov 29)

SQUAD*:

Goalkeepers: Hassan Sunny, Izwan Mahbud

Defenders: Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Shakir Hamzah, Al Qaasimy Abdul Rahman, Ismadi Mukhtar, Afiq Yunos, Amirul Adli Azmi, Madhu Mohana, Faritz Hameed

Midfielders: Hariss Harun, Shahril Ishak (C), Shahdan Sulaiman, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Zulfahmi Arifin , Faris Ramli, Gabriel Quak

Forwards: Khairul Amri, Shahfiq Ghani, Sahil Suhaimi. Khairul Nizam, Fazrul Nawaz

*Final 22 to be announced today