Thailand national football team coach Mano Polking's prime concern ahead of their today's Fifa Day friendly with Georgia is getting the War Elephants used to the cold weather in Tbilisi.
Thailand, who face Georgia at Tbilisi’s David Petriashvilli Stadium today before travelling to Estonia for another friendly on Tuesday, had their first training session as the mercury dipped to 11C yesterday.
“It was long flight so at this moment I am more concerned about getting the players fit and used to the weather here — it’s much colder than we expected,” said Polking.
“We have studied Georgia’s style and will find a suitable method of playing with them.
“Georgia are a quality team but, as I said earlier, I have confidence in my players, they are eager to show their potential to the Thai football fans.
“It is unlucky that Nicholas Mickelson could not join the team because of the injury. Although we are left with 22 players, it shouldn’t be a big problem because it isn’t like a long tournament in which you play many matches.
“We have just one day to train and I hope we will be ready for the match.”
Georgia coach Willy Sagnol said they will be taking the match with Thailand “seriously”.
Sagnol, a former France international, said: “We are preparing for the Euro 2024 qualifying tournament so will take this match seriously. For me, the game with Thailand is important.”
The match will kick off at 11pm (Thai time) and will be live on Thai Rath TV (32).
Prachuap appoint new coach
Thai League 1 side PT Prachuap have appointed the former Buriram United manager Bozidar Bandovic as their new coach.
Bandovic said he won’t be setting any targets for the first leg but deal things on a match to match basis.