Thailand captain Sarach Yooyen eager to keep golden run in ASEAN Championship going

HANOI, Vietnam -- With four titles to his name, Thailand captain Sarach Yooyen is already the most-successful player in ASEAN Championship history.

His record stacks up even when compared to nations, as a whole.

Behind Thailand's seven titles, Singapore are on par with Sarach with a quartet of crowns, while his personal record even surpasses Vietnam's three and Malaysia's one.

Sarach is currently gunning for a record-extending fifth winner's medal although the odds are stacked against him and the Thais, as they trail Vietnam on aggregate in the final following a 2-0 first-leg loss in Bangkok ahead of Wednesday's return encounter at Mỹ Đình National Stadium.

The current situation is slightly different to Sarach's previous triumphs when he was part of star-studded War Elephants outfits -- boasting fellow icons such as Chanathip Songkrasin, Teerasil Dangda and Theerathon Bunmathan -- that conquered all before them.

With Thailand fielding a youthful team this time around due to the inavailability of numerous key players, they have already done admirably well to get this far -- with Sarach providing plenty of much-needed experience.

Not only has Thailand won every ASEAN Championship that Sarach has been present for, he also cannot recall ever losing a game on Vietnamese soil -- a record he hopes is a good omen as his team look to overcome a deficit in the second leg.

"With regards to playing away in Vietnam, if I remember correctly, I do not think I have ever lost here while representing the national team," said Sarach in Tuesday's prematch news conference.

"I hope that record can continue.

"Although we have younger players, I don't think anyone is feeling particularly nervous. Everyone remains in good spirits and has confidence that we can win tomorrow.

"Since the first match, I think we have improved in every game. The younger players who have received opportunities with the national team at this tournament have also grown and developed with each match.

"Now that we have reached this point, everyone shares the same objective: we have to win tomorrow.

"We are not under any particular pressure. We still have confidence."

Sarach's sentiments were echoed by coach Anthony Hudson, who believes his team will be able to play without any burden of expectations -- given they are not at their strongest, unlike Vietnam, and based on the result of the first leg.

"I love this group of players," Hudson said. "I love working with Thai players and this group as well.

"I just love what they've given to each other, to the staff, to the fans -- they've given so much and that includes the captain next to me [Sarach], but especially the younger players.

"With the young players, one of their strengths is that they can bring their quality, their energy and their fearlessness. And I think tomorrow we want that fearlessness.

"The pressure is on really on Vietnam because they're 2-0 up, at home. You would say the pressure is on the home team to get the win.

"For our players, especially the young guys, it's about going out and being absolutely fearless, and showing their personality and quality. That's our focus tomorrow."

One of the memorable scenes after the final whistle in Saturday's first leg at Rajamangala Stadium was Hudson gathering his players in the middle of the pitch and instructing them to observe the uninhibited celebrations between the Vietnam players and their travelling supporters -- something he hopes can serve as motivation.

"The great thing about football is that it's an emotional game," Hudson added.

"This is a long tournament. There's a lot of travelling, it's a difficult period during preseason [for the players] -- as a group, you go through so much, spend so much time together and get to the final. And, at home, I believe we played well.

"Respect to Vietnam -- they are a very strong team but so are we. We created a lot of chances and I felt we deserved more out of the game.

"It wasn't something I planned. I just saw it [while being] very emotional and it's something we needed to remember, because we played well. I wanted them to know that and to believe in their performance, and the fact that this tie is not done.

"This tie is not done at all. It was just something I felt in the moment. There's no issue with Vietnam doing that with their fans. I respect them, but it was just something I felt."