As Thailand carved out a 2-0 win over the Philippines in the men's football competition of the 29th SEA Games yesterday, coach Worrawoot Srimaka's thoughts kept wandering to tomorrow's Group B match against Vietnam.
Worrawoot took a gamble yesterday and rested some key players, including skipper Chenrop Samphaodi, for the match against the Philippines.
"I think we met our target for this match," said Worrawoot.
"The weather is very hot and the players are tired. There aren't any long breaks between matches so I had to rest some players.
"We have a very important game against Vietnam coming up. I have to worry about that."
He added: "The Vietnamese were here at the stadium to see us play against the Philippines.
"Right now, we are not sure who would make it to the semi-finals from this group."
Top two teams from Group A and Group B will enter the last four stage.
Thailand's first goal came in the 27th minute when Buriram United left winger Sasalak Haiprakhon lobbed the ball for Montree Promsawat to score with a header.
The Thais looked tired in the second half but were still able to dominate their opponents, who also had a couple of chances but could not convert them.
The War Elephants kept making inroads but it was only during the six-minute injury time that Montree Promsawad produced their second goal of the match with a header.
Thailand, the two-time defending champions, now have 10 points to their credit after four matches.
As for their chances of making the semi-finals, much would rest on the outcome of the match between Vietnam, who had nine points, and Indonesia, which was to be played late last night.
The Thais will be without their first-choice playmaker Chaiyawat Buran in tomorrow's crucial clash with Vietnam.
The SEA Games organising committee confirmed Chaiyawat's two-match ban yesterday.
Chaiyawat was sent off during the game with Cambodia on Sunday when Thailand won 3-0.
Meanwhile in the women's football event, Thailand picked up a point after Rattikarn Thongsombat salvaged a 1-1 draw for the defending champions against arch rivals Vietnam
Both Thailand and Vietnam have seven points and the gold medal in the single-league tournament will be decided tomorrow when Thailand face the Philippines and Vietnam take on Malaysia.
