Thailand were eliminated in the group stages in the last two tournaments in 2009 and 2011 but they will be the overwhelming favourites to regain the men’s football title after defeating Singapore 1-0 in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Kiatisuk’s men have been the hot favourites since starting their Group B campaign with aplomb – beating Timor-Leste 3-1. They then whipped Indonesia 4-1 before drawing 1-1 with Myanmar and 0-0 with Cambodia.
The Thai legend said that his team had done well to advance to the final and that they are on the right track to reclaim the gold medal.
‘’Our aim is to win the gold medal in the SEA Games,’’ said the 40-year-old coach fondly called Zico.
‘’However, we still have to work hard to win it ... the fight is not over yet and our win against Indonesia in the first round is irrelevant.’’
Indonesia, meanwhile will try to end their SEA Games jinx after going more than two decades without winning the gold in the biennial tournament.
Indonesia coach Rahmad Darmawan has urged his players to continue showing the same kind of consistency that has seen them come this far.
“It will be a hard-fought match but I believe we have it in us to beat Thailand ... if we play according to our game plan,” said Rahmad.
