Can India Boost Their Confidence Against Thailand in a Friendly?

Pathum Thani, Thailand, June 3 (NationPress) The Indian men's national football team is set to face Thailand in a FIFA International Friendly match this Wednesday at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani. For the Blue Tigers, currently ranked 127th, this encounter is crucial for their preparation ahead of the pivotal AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round match against Hong Kong, scheduled for June 10 in Kowloon City.

Following the friendly, the Indian squad will depart from Bangkok to Hong Kong on June 5. Thailand, holding the 99th position in the FIFA rankings and also partaking in the Asian Cup Qualifiers, plans to utilize this friendly to ready themselves for their upcoming match against Turkmenistan.

During a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, India’s head coach Manolo Marquez stated, "We are preparing for the game against Hong Kong, while Thailand is focused on Turkmenistan. This friendly is beneficial for both teams as we are in a similar situation preparing for the Asian Cup Qualifiers."

Accompanying Marquez at the press conference, Lallianzuala Chhangte emphasized, "We have been putting in significant effort for these two matches. We take this friendly seriously and aim to secure a victory. Everyone on the team is motivated and the coaching staff is supporting us in every possible way."

Chhangte continued, "Thailand is a strong team both offensively and defensively. We have arrived with a clear strategy. Our priority is to focus on our performance, and winning this match would enhance our confidence heading into the Hong Kong game."

This match marks the first encounter between the two nations since 2019. India previously triumphed in both earlier matches, achieving a convincing 4-1 victory at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 in Abu Dhabi and a 1-0 win in Buriram that earned the Blue Tigers a bronze medal at the King's Cup later that same year.

Marquez pointed out that the current scenario is vastly different from six years ago. He remarked, "Those matches were a long time ago. Both teams have undergone significant player changes since then. I spoke with players from those games, and it's nearly impossible to draw comparisons. I anticipate a competitive match. We are here to win, and naturally, if we could replicate those scores, it would be fantastic."

Only seven players from India's 2019 Asian Cup squad have made the trip to Thailand for this friendly: Sunil Chhetri, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose, Ashique Kuruniyan, and Udanta Singh Kumam. In contrast, Thailand has retained just two players from their previous encounters: captain Chanathip Songkrasin and forward Supachai Chaided.

Thailand's head coach Masatada Ishii echoed Marquez's sentiments, stating, "We lost the last two matches against India, but there have been numerous changes. I wasn't the coach during those games, and many players have shifted. Therefore, the past is irrelevant. We aspire to win against India and use this match as preparation for Turkmenistan."

The Changsuek team gathered only on Monday after the conclusion of the Thai domestic season last Saturday, where Buriram United FC clinched the Thai League Cup title, defeating Lamphun Warriors FC 2-0 in Pathum Thani.

Buriram has two players in the Thai squad, including Phitiwat Sookjitthammakul, who attended the pre-match press conference. The midfielder remarked, "I have joined the national camp after over a year. The atmosphere in the camp is positive and friendly. We are determined to perform at our best and aim to win both matches."

Marquez and his coaching staff attended the BG Stadium to observe the Thai League Cup final. He expressed his thoughts on the matchday ambiance in Thailand and anticipated a vibrant crowd for the friendly at Thammasat Stadium. "Every player desires to compete in front of a large audience. The atmosphere at the Buriram-Lamphun final was fantastic, with nearly a full stadium. This is one of the reasons we play football — to engage with a passionate crowd," concluded the Indian coach.