Thailand players gear up for the Round of 16 clash against Uzbekistan.
Doha, Qatar: Srecko Katanec has played down Uzbekistan’s tag as favourites for their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Round of 16 match against Thailand at Al Janoub Stadium today.
Seeking to take Uzbekistan to a fifth quarter-final appearance, Katanec is wary of the threat that Thailand pose despite 45 places separating them in the FIFA World Ranking.
“You never know if it’s better to play after 3-4 days or like this (with a week’s break). We will see tomorrow at the final whistle,” said the 60-year-old Slovenian.
Uzbekistan players during a training session.
“The period between matches hasn’t helped with the players who were missing before because the players who are injured are still out.
“We have a very difficult game because Thailand haven’t conceded a goal yet. They are very organised with good press and good at transitioning. So maybe our draw isn’t as good as people make it out to be.
“Tomorrow we will see tactics, we can start with one system then perhaps change the system along the way, in any case, we’re ready.”
A week of training and recovery since they last took to the pitch for a 1-1 draw with Australia has not yielded much improvement for the White Wolves in terms of the playing squad with forward Igor Sergeev still recovering from injury.
Conversely, Masatada Ishii is able to herald the return of captain Theerathon Bunmanthan, who was suspended for the Australia tie.
Theerathon hit a century of international caps during the goalless draw with Oman and Ishii is pleased to be able to rely on the War Elephants inspirational leader again as they look to better their performance in UAE 2019 by reaching the last eight.
“Absolutely a plus for us to have him back in the squad, someone who is very experienced at international level,” said Ishii.
“As one of the most important players in the team, he can have a galvanising impact on the team and he’ll make us one team.
“As we qualified for the Round of 16 with five points, we met our objectives but now we want to continue competing in this tournament.
“Uzbekistan have a good defensive structure with lots of players who are organised, they like to work with deep spaces so we will try to come up with plans to counter all that.” AFC
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Uzbekistan will start as marginal favourites against Thailand in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Round of 16 tie today.
The Central Asian side advanced after finishing second in Group B while Thailand were the Group F runners-up.
Advantage Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan have won their last two matches against Thailand, each by a score of 2-0, and will face them at the AFC Asian Cup for the first time. Uzbekistan duo Azizbek Turgunboyev and Jaloliddin Masharipov each scored once in their side’s last win against Thailand.
Dismal run
Uzbekistan have won only one of their seven previous knockout games at the AFC Asian Cup – a 2-1 win against Jordan in the 2011 quarter-finals. They exited the 2019 edition in the Round of 16 after a 4-2 defeat to Australia on penalties.
New record
Thailand have kept a clean sheet in each of their three games at Qatar 2023, as many as they had kept across all their previous 24 games at the tournament; this will be their fourth knockout game at the tournament, having won only one of their previous three.
Safe hands
Thailand goalkeepers Saranon Anuin and Patiwat Khammai have made seven and four saves respectively at Qatar 2023; among keepers yet to concede a goal at the tournament only Qatar’s Meshaal Barsham (8) has made more saves.
