Coach Chanwit Pholchivin's side play their first leg of the finals against defending champions Singapore tomorrow. Just before the team took the flight, Kiartisak told Tawatchai Sajjakul, the team manager, that he is withdrawing due a family reason and a nagging injury, which threatens to rule him out of the two-leg finals.

"My daughter is sick with high fever. So, I want to look after her. Even if I travel with the team, I would not be of much help because of the injury to my right knee, which the doctor said will take at least three weeks to heal," said Kiartisak.

"The knee is swollen and it is something to do with the ligament. It did not look serious at the initial stages. But a hard tackle can aggravate it. In that case I would need a surgery just as it had happened to Tawan Sripan and Nirut Surasiang. I don't want to risk it.

"But if they really need me in the second leg, I would leave it to the judgement of the doctor, who might inject a pain-killer just like he did in the semi-final match," added Kiartisak.

The withdrawal of the veteran captain, the only player in the current squad who was a member of all the previous winning sides, certainly dampened the spirits of the team, who are aiming to lift the title they last won in 2002.

The Thai team have been beset with injury problems. Apart from Kiartisak's injury, several first-team players such as Datsakorn Thonglao, Kittisak Rawangpa and Sutee Suksomkit make up a lengthy injury list, leaving Chanwit little room for manoeuvring in the crucial game.

"Kiartisak withdrew. Paitoon Thiepma returned to Indonesia, citing club duty. If we field a team full of young players in the away leg, it may be counter-productive," Chanwit said.

"We will not just concentrate on defending. That is not our style. We will attack. They haven't faced tough teams all the way. And that is the only advantage I can see. We will at least claim a draw and go for a win at home," said Chanwit.