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From World Cup to Suzuki Cup for globe-trotting Eriksson
MANILA, Nov 7, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Sven-Goran Eriksson once pushed for World
Cup glory with England but the much-travelled coach is now eyeing Southeast
Asian silverware with his new team, the Philippines.
The Philippines have never won the Suzuki Cup but the door could be open
for the 70-year-old Swede after Thailand, the defending champions, were
forced to field a weakened team.
As the 10-team tournament kicks off this week, Thailand, the Philippines
and Vietnam also have one eye on the much bigger Asian Cup, which they will
play in January after it expanded to 32 teams.
Thailand have dominated Southeast Asia’s biennial tournament, winning the
last two editions and a record five in total.
But Eriksson, who took England to World Cup quarter-finals in 2002 and
2006, has targeted an improvement on the Azkals’ three semi-final appearances
from 2010 to 2014.
“The pressure is on the whole team to try to do better in the Suzuki Cup
than the Philippines has done before. That means at least reaching the
final,” said Eriksson.
As the Suzuki Cup isn’t part of FIFA’s official calendar, Thailand’s Japan-
based stars Teerasil Dangda and Chanathip Songkrasin, the top-scorer and MVP
respectively in 2016, are unable to make the trip.
Captain Theerathon Bunmathan is also busy in Japan, while goalkeeper Kawin
Thamsatchanan has not been released by his Belgian club OH Leuven.
Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompanmuong suggested
the Thais’ priority was the Asian Cup, where they haven’t reached the
knockout stages since 1972.
“The Asian Cup is very important for us,” he told AFP. “We want to get past
the group stage, that is our target this time.”
Somyot added: “The AFF Cup is also important for us. We don’t have some of
our best players so that makes it more difficult but gives other players a
chance.”
– ‘Under pressure’ –
Thailand coach Milovan Rajevac said he hoped his team would thrive in the
pressure of missing their senior players.
“We will play in the Suzuki Cup without the four but I have faith in other
players. We are a team and everybody is equally important,” the Serb said.
“Our aim is to retain the Suzuki Cup. We are under pressure but I will try
to make my players turn pressure into motivation. We will do our best.”
The Philippines will also be affected by the scheduling and will have to
manage without goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, for the most part at least.
The Cardiff City number one was named in the preliminary 29-man squad and
is expected to jet to Asia after Cardiff’s clash with Brighton and Hove
Albion on Saturday. He should be ready to take on Singapore three days later
and then East Timor, before returning to the English Premier League once the
international break ends on November 20.
But Etheridge will be available in January for the Asian Cup in the United
Arab Emirates, when they face South Korea, China and Kyrgyzstan in Group C.
The Philippines, under Eriksson, will be making their first appearance in
the continental tournament.
“I could easily say win it (but) I don’t know if it’s realistic to think
that for the first time,” Eriksson said.
“Let’s start with the Suzuki Cup, that’s first.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/1148 hrs