Group H: What the coaches said…

AFC CUP 2009

BANGKOK – Despite Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Valencia of the Maldives leaving Thailand's Provincial Electricity Authority within a point of the last 16 of the AFC Cup, coach Thongsuk Sampahangsit is well aware of the dangers of setting a side out for a draw in the final round of Group H fixtures.

Two first-half goals from Lamnao Singto sent the home side on their way and after Waheed Wilran’s 56th minute penalty reduced the deficit for Valencia, Ronnachai Rangsiyo and Rangsan Vivatchaichok sealed the win in the second-half.

And with Vietnam’s Binh Duong securing a place in the knockout stages with a 2-0 victory over Home United, PEA travel to Singapore next week knowing if they avoid defeat they will advance to the last 16.

“The game wasn’t beautiful, we just needed three points,” said Thongsuk.

“Now we need only one point to qualify for the next round and it’s difficult to play for a draw, so we’ll give it our best to win.”

Valencia remain at the foot of the table without a point from five games, but coach Josef Dzurjack remained upbeat and is looking to restoring some pride against Binh Duong in two weeks.

“There was a big difference between the teams but my side had a lot of problems. We had a lot of young players - half of them were under 20 and our keeper just 19 years old,” said Dzurjack.

“I’m satisfied, we had chances but were only able to score one goal. We have to give everything in our final match now.”

After Home United lost to Binh Duong, the Protectors must beat PEA in Singapore to advance to the last 16.

“If we had won tonight, we would not have to think about the last game,” said Home United coach PN Sivaji.

“But we are in a good situation in that despite the loss, we still have a chance with a home game against PEA.

“We’d fancy our chances given this scenario, and we’ll be going for the three points at home.”

At Binh Duong Stadium, Kasley Alves opened the scoring for Binh Duong two minutes after the hour mark before Nguyen Vu Phuong sealed the win.

“To be fair, Binh Duong defended well, and you would expect that given they had such a big home crowd,” added the Protectors coach.

“Because we kept the ball well and made them chase it more than we had to do it, it meant we were the more dominant, but we had our chances and didn’t take them, while they had two and took theirs.”