Thailand coach Hermans sees room for improvement

Jirawat Sornwichian and Suphawut Thueanklang each scored twice at Universal Stadium while Jetsada Chudech and Wiwat Thaijaruen were also on target for Hermans’ side.

Futsalroos captain Gregory Giovenali netted the only goal for Australia just before half-time as Thailand sealed a comfortable victory, although Dutch coach Hermans was altogether happy with his side’s display. 

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“The performance was not really what I wanted but at 6-1, OK, things are enough but I think we can play 50% better than that and some parts of the game we didn’t control at all,” said Hermans (pictured).

“We gave Australia too much space in our own half and we had a problem, and then 17 seconds before half-time when we’re up and I told the side to kick the ball out of the stadium and we concede, we must improve that.

“Nobody realises though that many of my best players are injured and still in Bangkok, so to achieve this result is a wonderful thing.”

Thailand now turn their attentions to Friday’s semi-final with hosts Uzbekistan, who recorded a 3-0 win over Iraq.

“We have reached the last four and now the pressure is off. In Holland we say the next matches are now the cream on the cake and we can play with freedom as we chase this championship,” continued Hermans.

 Australia, meanwhile, can still qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup with victory in Thursday’s fifth place play-off semi-final against Iraq.

 “We had a fairly poor start in terms of intensity and that’s what cost us the game because it meant we had to work extra hard to get back into it,” said Australia coach Rob Varela.

“To our credit we responded well over the second half and managed to hold our own for most of it before their class and superior fitness showed and they took their chances well and were deserved winners.”

Photo: AFC