Masatada Ishii, the head coach of the Thailand national men’s football team, expressed his thoughts following their defeat to Vietnam in the second leg of the 2024 AFF Championship final.
The match ended 3-2 in favor of Vietnam, sealing a 5-3 aggregate victory and crowning them champions, while Thailand finished as runners-up.
“We could not defend the championship this time. Vietnam did well. I would like to congratulate Vietnam,” Ishii began. He highlighted that early mistakes by Thailand had a significant impact on the match. “We made too many mistakes at the beginning of the game, which changed the situation. We must try not to make such mistakes again.”
Ishii emphasized that while the team’s goal was to retain their title, another crucial focus was the integration of younger players into the squad. “Our goal in this tournament was to win the championship, but another goal was to push the new generation of the Thai national team. Although we couldn’t defend the title, we’ve introduced players who will become valuable options for the team in the future.”
He also praised the team’s second goal, calling it “beautiful,” and hinted at the possibility of further integrating players from Thai Leagues 2 and 3, U23 prospects, and experienced veterans for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers.
Reflecting on the players’ performance, Ishii noted their maturity and composure despite limited preparation time, particularly in offensive setups. “Many of them are quite calm. We did not have much time to practice offensively, but they showed determination and did well in this area.”
He acknowledged challenges in defensive consistency due to frequent lineup changes but commended the group’s resilience. “We conceded goals but managed to bounce back. This reflects the strength and determination of the players in this group.”
Ishii extended his gratitude to everyone involved, from the coaching staff to the fans. “I would like to thank everyone who has followed and worked with us throughout this tournament. I also thank the fans who came to cheer us on. If we didn’t have fans, we might not have come this far.”
He urged continued cooperation among all stakeholders to help Thai football progress, drawing inspiration from the tournament’s slogan: “Together We can build better.”
Looking ahead, Ishii and his team will now shift their focus to preparing for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Thailand’s first match in this campaign is scheduled against Sri Lanka on March 25, 2025.
Credit Photo : FA Thailand
