Thitipan Puangchan’s injury has Nishino worried ahead of Indonesia match

Not only will midfielder Oita Trinita’s injury handicap Thailand’s attacking game against Indonesia on their second matchday, it is also a huge blow for Thailand’s new head coach Akira Nishino who had given Thitipan a key role in their goalless draw against Vietnam.

Japan’s former head coach decided not to start him in the World Cup 2022 qualifier and AFC Asian Cup qualifying 2023 match against Vietnam at Thammasat stadium last Thursday, and instead gave ‘False 9’ duties to Thitipan and young Buriram United winger Supachok Sarachat.

It was Thitipan who was the big attacking threat in the game against Vietnam last Thursday.

“I see no problem with a formation without a pure striker. We played with two forwards, Thitipan and Supachok. You could see Vietnam playing very cautiously. Our team tried to pass back and forth to stretch them out, but the forwards did not finish well. That is a pity,” Nishino said after the game.

Nishino will have to rethink his strategy after failing to create enough chances against Vietnam last week.

Thitipan might sit out as much as three weeks after his hamstring problem.

Nishino called up True Bangkok United winger Anon Amornlertsak and Muangthong United centre-back Phatcharapol Intanee to replace the injured players. Buriram forward Supachai Jaided remains the only out-and-out striker on Thailand’s World Cup Qualifiers squad.

Nishino, who put just a single striker on his squad after injuries to veterans Teerasil Dangda and Adisak Kraisorn, did bring on 20-year-old Supachai for the final 20 minutes of the Vietnam game replacing Sarach Yooyen. But the forward could do little against Vietnam’s strong defense.