By Xinhua
Bangkok : Co-hosts Thailand are likely to put a pressure on Iraq with home advantage in the AFC Asian Cup curtain-raiser at the Rajamangala National Stadium here Saturday.
Thailand have shown fast improvement in recent years. Their long obsession in the technicalities of the game seemed to help the national team a lot. They can sometimes play fluent, beautiful football characterized by quick short passes and interchanges.
Thai coach Chanvit Pholchovin's have enough reasons to be confident when facing strong Asian teams like Iraq.
Thailand have some good performance in the build-up for the Asian Cup. They took impressive victories over last edition runners-up China 1-0 and Doha Asiad champions Qatar 2-0, and strengthened their defence during the training camp in Germany.
Thailand's hot and humid climate may become the hosts' sharp weapon, which may affect the Iraqi stamina and speed on the pitch. And the support from home fans will boost Thailand greatly.
Though seemingly much stronger than the hosts, Iraq don't have many reasons to prevail in the opening clash. The Doha Games finalists have not been in good form since the Gulf Cup earlier this year, in which the team was shut out from the semi-finals.
Big changes happened to the team. New Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira took over Akram Salman and several major players like Razzaq Farhan, Ahmed Kazzem and Emad Mohammed were suspended for two years by the Iraqi Football Association. Iraq's recent warm-up results are not good.
However, advantage in height and physical conditions will help the Iraqi team. Up front they have former AFC Young Player of the Year nominee Younis Mahmoud, who scored 19 goals for Qatar's AL Gharafa club to be the Qatar League's top scorer. All-round Younis has the power to threaten the Thai defence line single-handedly in the counter-attacks.
Hawar Mulla Mohammed from the United Arab Emirates side Al Ain and Nashat Akram from Saudi Arabian outfit Al Shabab will be the key players in the midfield, while several overseas players will function.
Thailand's setbacks lie in their weak air-ball control, physical conditions and lack of individual quality in defence, but they can minimize these negative elements at home soil. The hosts may take at least one point from Iraq.