Thai coach Chanvit Polchivin's team will play a conservative game in the opening match and he is expecting the two strikers to score goals for his side which, although being the being the best in the region, have never done will in the Merdeka Cup.

"The game plan is definitely to stay aggressive, but we will try not to give our all because the players only returned to training three weeks ago," said Chanvit, who is determined to lead his team to their first trophy in this tournament.

Thailand's teams have never made it past the second round of the Merdeka Cup since the friendly competition was first held in 1967.

"There will be no jinx as we will work hard to win the first game as a good start towards our goal of winning the event," he said. "What I'm worried is about is the rain," added Chanvit. He plans to use Jakkrit Boonkam, Suree Sukka, Tevarit Junsalom and Prat Samakrat in the midfield.

The Thai team had their first practice at the venue yesterday and focussed on general technique and shooting. They will wear blue outfits in today's game scheduled for 5.30pm, Bangkok time.

Meanwhile, there was chaos yesterday afternoon at the Grand BlueWave Hotel where the team is staying. Fire alarm sounded after a small fire started in the parking lot, but two fire trucks arrived and tackled the situation. No injuries were reported.

Reserves for Gallas

nWilliam Gallas faces a year in football oblivion after Chelsea's patience finally snapped over the France international's attempts to move out of Stamford Bridge.

Having tolerated the defender's refusal to attend pre-season training with his team-mates in Los Angeles due to "fatigue", Chelsea's hierarchy is poised to order the World Cup finalist to spend the final year of his contract in the reserves, a decision that has Jose Mourinho's blessing.

Gallas would have two ways of avoiding that scenario. The first would be a repentant apology from Gallas towards his team-mates for what Mourinho has termed the player's "lack of respect".

The second is for him to leave the club as the bargaining chip in a swap deal for Ashley Cole.

Such is the strength of feeling at Stamford Bridge that Chelsea would prefer to take Cole in a cash deal worth between £15 million and £20 million and condemn Gallas, who they do not expect to sign the tabled offer of a contract extension, to 12 months out of the first team.

Chelsea suspect Gallas of a dalliance with their rivals before Arsenal's £5 million offer for him, which was lodged at the weekend and which Chelsea rejected.

Given the enmity between the two clubs, fuelled by Arsenal's decision to register a formal complaint to the Premier League last year over Chelsea's illegal approach for Cole, that suspicion is being treated very seriously by Chelsea.

If proved, they would consider it an utter betrayal by a player they had valued highly. It is unlikely a swap deal will be agreed, since the champions would not be prepared to yield any money to sweeten the transfer. It is unthinkable that Arsenal could accede to such a transaction.

Yingrak Ruksuwan

The Nation

Kuala Lumpur