Asian Cup: Yodyadthai praises Thai backline after victory

Dubai - Yodyadthai said that performance shown by them was the key, as they repelled the offensive-minded Bahrainis before scoring the winner

Thailand's interim coach Sirisak Yodyadthai said that the discipline shown by his backline was the reason for their 1-0 win against Bahrain, which kept the War Elephants in the AFC Asian Cup.
Serbian Milovan Rajevac had paid the price following a heavy 4-1 defeat to India but Yodyadthai's lads showed a better defensive shape against the Bahrainis.
And Yodyadthai said that performance shown by them was the key, as they repelled the offensive-minded Bahrainis before scoring the winner.
"We did very well in the first half although the second half was much better," Yodyadthai said after the match.
"The players did what I had asked of them. Bahrain gave us a very tough game and I'm happy that we got a win after that defeat against India. After I was appointed, I looked at the mistakes. I focussed on discipline, especially among our back four. And the players delivered as I wanted," he added,
Rajevac had taken over two years ago and led them to victory in the King's Cup and a runners-up finish last season, apart from reaching the semifinals in the AFF Championship.
Yodyadthai said that Rajevac had laid down a good blueprint for him to work upon.
"He has already laid down a strong structure and I'm continuing his work. The players are expressing themselves," he said.
Next up, Thailand take on the UAE at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on Monday. And Yodyadthai said he has enough belief in his players to return with a good result.
"It will be a very tough game. They are the hosts and the crowd will be backing them. But I believe in my players," said Yodyadthai.
Meanwhile, Bahrain coach Miroslav Soukup rued his side's finishing.
"What can I say? I knew the game against Thailand wouldn't be easy. I saw their game against India and since then, the new coach made changes, where he played a 3-5-2 formation. We had problems with the quality of finishing. We had almost 15 to 16 shots but we lacked a strong finish," said Soukup.
Despite the result, Soukup said they still have a chance in the competition. "We lost 1-0 but we can still look forward in the tournament. We have a game against India and we hope we can beat them, get four points and qualify," he said.
james@khaleejtimes.com