Courtesy:
New Straits TimesThais out to slam Malaysia againTHAILAND'S women futsal team are looking forward to giving their Malaysian counterparts another hiding in an anticipated final clash at the Sea Games.
Malaysia's northern neighbours would love nothing more than to repeat or better the 17-0 thrashing they handed Malaysia at the Asian Indoor Games in Macau in October.
But Thailand have the harder task of overcoming Myanmar and Vietnam in Group A while Malaysia should easily sweep aside Philippines and Laos in Group B.
Provided both teams clear their semi-final hurdles, Thai coach Boonlert Chaloenwong is eagerly looking forward to taking on Malaysia in the final.
"We don't know Malaysia's strength as we have not seen them in action (since Macau). But any clash with Malaysia is always special and we hope to produce our best," said Boonlert somewhat modestly after a training session at the Hua Mark indoor stadium in Bangkok yesterday.
Futsal is being featured at the Sea Games for the first time with Thailand firm favourites for both the men and women's titles.
Boonlert warned Malaysia that his 14-member team, who have been in intensive training for the past one month after being beaten by Japan on penalties in the Asian Indoor final, have their eyes fixed on the gold medal.
Malaysia open against the Philippines on Friday and face Laos the following the day with the semi-finals and final scheduled for Dec 11 and 13 respectively.
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Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
