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Published on January 17, 2008

The Thai team, on their two-week training stint in the cool climes of Manchester for the World Cup qualifiers which will resume next month, blamed the frigid conditions, with the temperature dropping to 7 degrees Celsius, for their lacklustre

performance.

Several players complained that they were barely able to run in the conditions and the playing surface was poor due to rains prior to the game.

The players' inability to overcome adverse conditions certainly would not augur well for their World Cup qualifying campaign, in which the Thais will face a daunting trip to Asian powerhouse Japan in their opening match on February 6 in Group B, that also includes Oman and Bahrain.

National coach Chanvit Pholchivin was unhappy with the team's performance, which he described as "an error in playing style".

"We are committing the same mistakes. We lose possession very easily, especially when the opposition presses the accelerator," said the disappointed coach.

"It's a major cause of concern to us as our group opponents usually play to such tactics. We need to sort it out in the remaining time," Chanvit said.

Jim Cassell, the City's academy manager assigned to help prepare Chanvit's men, focused on the positives.

"Thai players have good technique. They move well and have good mobility. They had difficulty in adjusting to the surroundings. They gave away possession too easily and the marking needs to improve," Cassell said.

Thailand next play Manchester United's reserve side on January 23.

The Nation