Group A of the ASEAN Cup 2024 has ended with Thailand topping the group, while Singapore is second. The two teams will determine their opponents in the semi-finals after the matches in Group B - where Vietnam is participating.
For the Thai team, their qualification to the semi-finals is not surprising. Despite not having the strongest squad, coach Masatada Ishii's team still showed remarkable strength, remaining undefeated through 4 matches, scoring 18 goals.
After securing a ticket to the next round, the coach of the Thai team once again emphasized the goal of winning the championship. Mr. Masatada Ishii has the opportunity to win the regional tournament for the first time. If he can do this, he will help the "War Elephants" win the ASEAN Cup for the third consecutive time and the eighth time in history.
For now, he and his players are looking forward to the semi-finals, where the team could face Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar or the Philippines. “In the semi-finals, we could face any opponent. I cannot say which team the Thai team wants to face and which opponent they do not want to face.
“For now, we will have time to rest and adjust our play, both offensively and defensively. The team needs to improve from set pieces to open attacks in the next phase,” said Mr. Ishii.
During the group stage, the Thai team successfully rotated the squad but still achieved optimal results. The team will have the best force for the semi-finals. According to the Bangkok Post, the three pillars of the Thai team, Suphanat Mueanta, Pansa Hemviboon and Seksan Ratree, who were recalled by Buriram United, have returned.
As for Singapore, they had a much more difficult journey to reach the semi-finals. In the final match, they drew 0-0 with Malaysia away, thereby deciding their own fate. This is only the second time Singapore has reached the semi-finals of the ASEAN Cup since 2012.
This achievement has a great mark of coach Tsutomu Ogura. The Japanese strategist has succeeded in building a pragmatic playing style, tight defense and organizing many lightning attacks. Most importantly, the Singapore team showed high fighting spirit, played persistently and gave their all.
In addition, the experience of the older players is also an advantage for the Singapore team, helping the team show consistency in their playing style through 4 matches. Ahead of the semi-finals, Mr. Ogura shared: “The Singapore players play more and more confidently in each match, but they are never overconfident. They may have been a bit timid in the first and second matches, but their confidence and belief in our playing style increased as the team won important points.
The group stage is over, we have reached the semi-finals. We will have to recover soon and prepare well for the upcoming matches.”
