Protectors look to nick a result in Thailand

Syahrom Sulaiman
info@sleague.com

Home United will be looking for their second victory in a row in the AFC Cup competition when they visit Provincial Electricity Authority Club (PEA) at Suphachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday night.

In their first AFC Cup game this season, PN Sivaji’s men managed to defeat Vietnamese side Becamex Binh Duong 2-1 at Jalan Besar Stadium last Tuesday, courtesy of goals from defender Juma’at Jantan and star striker Kengne Ludovick.

The Protectors’ head coach has always been looking forward to the AFC Cup matches because of the higher standard of play but nonetheless, he is also concerned about the regularity of tough matches that have to be played in such a short span of time.

Sivaji said, “Playing against top sides like PEA, it is never going to be easy. Becamex gave us a tough time when they visited us at Jalan Besar Stadium last week.

“So likewise, I expect the Thais to be giving us a tough time in their own stadium. This is going to be our third game in seven days as we just faced Gombak (United) in a match which we drew on Friday.

“I am concerned about the impact of such a busy schedule on the players’ physical health. Hopefully all of these (matches) will not have a negative effect towards the latter stages of the season,” Sivaji wished.

Like the Protectors, PEA also won their opening encounter but the Ayutthaya-based club is currently occupying top spot in Group H due to goal difference.

The Thai champions overcame Maldivian side Club Valencia 3-1, with two goals coming from their Brazilian forward Falcao and the other one scored by Laotian Lamnao Singto.

Sivaji has already identified the Brazilian, along with Thai playmaker Narongchai Vachiraban, as the players to watch out for.

He said, “I think their Brazilian forward and Narongchai will pose many problems for us in the game.

“I will have to see whether we change our tactics or do we stick to them to cope with PEA’s dangerous threats. We need to analyze the way our opponents play,” Sivaji added.

The Protectors’ head coach gave his players a chance to rest and recuperate on Saturday before they head to Thailand on Sunday morning.

Light training will be the order of the day for the Protectors when they are in Thailand to ensure that none of the players get injured unnecessarily. Sivaji is happy that everyone in his squad is available for selection.

He said, “Our only concern was (Shi) Jiayi because he complained about injuring his knee just before half-time in the game against Gombak. Nevertheless, he still managed to continue throughout the second half.

“(Valery) Hiek is also back from suspension. He sat out in our game against Becamex so now he is able to play in the first eleven,” Sivaji pointed out.

But the one player whom Sivaji will probably want to count on is striker Kengne Ludovick. It is amazing how the Cameroonian can perform well consistently on the pitch despite being man-marked by tough defenders.

Ludovick’s quick burst of acceleration is the key to slice open the Thais’ defence. If Shi Jiayi or Shahril Ishak can supply a defence-splitting pass or two to the striker, Home United might just be able to nick a result in the land of a thousand smiles.