THAILAND V AUSTRALIA PREVIEW

Bangkok: Australia will look to bounce back from two consecutive draws in Group B on Matchday Five as hosts Thailand hunt for their first points after four defeats on the trot.

Potential Line-ups

• Thailand coach Kiatisuk Senamuang is looking for improvement from his players as they gain experience at the highest level of Asian football.
• Australia are rested and will be in a good position if they win in Bangkok, says Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.
• Buriram United defender Koravit Namwiset will miss the match through suspension after being shown a red card against Iraq.
• FC Luzern striker Tomi Juric has been ruled out due to injury, joining QPR midfielder Massimo Luongo and VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper Mitch Langerak on the sidelines.
• Five years ago to this day, the War Elephants hosted Australia in Bangkok in a World Cup qualifier, losing 1-0 to a Brett Holman goal.

As a mark of respect to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for 70 years and was the world's longest-reigning monarch, Thailand and Australia will both be wearing black armbands. The AFC President, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, had earlier expressed his deepest condolences to the Football Association of Thailand and the people of Thailand, who are observing a year-long period of national mourning after the demise of King Bhumibol Adulyadej last month. 

Match Details
Date: 15 November 2016 (Tuesday)
Kickoff time: 7:00pm ICT, 12:00pm GMT
Venue: Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
Referee: Fahad Jaber Al Marri (Qatar)

Coach Quotes

Kiatisuk Senamuang, Thailand
“We just got back from a 19-day training camp so the fitness of the players is at a high level. Their confidence is building every day; there are some injuries but the rest are doing well and are ready to go. We know this will be a tough game against Australia but we are ready.

“We are playing at home and this is an advantage and a good boost for the players to give 100 percent. We don’t want the players to be pressured as they have to go out on to the field and express who they really are and show what they can do. We don’t have any points but we are trying to improve ourselves in Asia and move to the next level. This is what we have to do tomorrow and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Ange Postecoglou, Australia
“We are looking forward to the game as it is another step towards the 2018 World Cup. It is a challenging game for us, especially when you look at how tight the group is. We had a good week of training and all the players are ready to go. The opportunity to work with the players is a luxury, but it is by design and has been good for us. The players have appreciated just being able to train more than they usually do, mentally and physically, they are ready to go.

“We have analysed Thailand as we do every opponent. We understand that it will be a difficult game here in Bangkok since the last two meetings between the teams were very tight affairs. If we play well tomorrow and get three points we will be in a good position next year with three games at home, regardless as to what anyone else does.” 

Head to Head Record
15/11/11 Thailand 0-1 Australia
02/09/11 Australia 2-1 Thailand
16/07/07 Thailand 0-4 Australia

Form
Thailand: LLLLL
Australia: LWWDD