Matildas coach Alen Stajcic says lack of danger in earlier win over Thailand could hurt side

THE Matildas smacking Thailand 5-0 last month isn’t a good gauge for the AFC Asian Cup semi final on Wednesday says coach Alen Stajcic.

The Matildas face Thailand in the Asian Cup semi-final.

THE Matildas smacking Thailand 5-0 last month isn’t a good gauge for the AFC Asian Cup semi final on Wednesday says coach Alen Stajcic.

The Matildas boss played down the fact that Australia was never in any danger during the friendly in Perth claiming the Thais could pose major threats if the Australians are off their game at King Abdullah II Stadium.

Stajcic’s Matildas belted Thailand with an experimental lineup which featured teenager Alex Chidiac having a blinder and calling the shots as a playmaker and opening the score at nib Stadium.

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The Matildas face Thailand in the Asian Cup semi-final.

In the past five meetings Australia has won every match, scored 20 goals and conceded just once but it does not mean a thing Stajcic added.

Complacency Stajcic said is not part of Australia’s DNA.

“We prepare the same whether we play Thailand, Vietnam or the US or Norway,” Stajcic said.

“It doesn’t really matter who we play.

“We give everyone the utmost respect, we have a certain playing style we stick to in every match and we play with the same intent or positivity.

“Whether it’s a world No. 1 or 200 we always play the same way.

“Anyone who is complacent in sport usually gets bitten on the back side.”

Stajcic would not give away whether he would again make wholesale changes to his line up after making 11 changes during Australia’s group stage campaign in Jordan.

Star striker Sam Kerr picked up a hip niggle during the 1-1 draw with Japan in the final Group B match and remains a 50/50 prospect as Stajcic keeps an eye on having fresh players for an expected Asian Cup final on Friday.

Australia topped their pool in the group stage of the Asian Cup.

Thailand coach Nuengruethal Sathongwien acknowledged her team isn’t favoured to get past the Matildas saying her side had reached its goal of qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup with a spot in the Asian Cup’s last four.

The Thai boss also allowed Suchawadee Nildhamrong to return to the US to continue her university studies after reaching the semi final of the tournament.

“We are the underdogs and preparing the most capable players of having the best condition for the game,” she said.

“We have reached our goal and measure ourselves against a better benchmark.”

Originally published as Matildas coach Alen Stajcic says lack of danger in earlier win over Thailand could hurt side