JAKARTA - Thailand coach Alexandre Polking was caught crying after his team slaughtered Indonesia four goals without reply in the first leg of the 2020 AFF Cup final, Wednesday night. It turned out that Polking had a reason to be moved.
The 45-year-old coach is known to have cried during a press conference after the match. Polking's tears broke when he was asked about the reason for including the veteran goalkeeper, Kawin Thamsatchanan in the 75th minute.
When asked the reason, while crying Polking answered that he did it deliberately to cheer up Kawin. Because, the goalkeeper was afflicted with grief because his father had just died.
I brought Kawin on because his father passed away today, and I wanted to give him a happy moment.❞😔 🙏 pic.twitter.com/mChww07yDk
— AFF Suzuki Cup (@affsuzukicup) December 30, 2021
Given that reason, Polking inevitably felt sentimental and couldn't hold back his tears in front of the media crew.
"Before, it wasn't that I didn't respect Indonesia and the staff, but I put Kawin on the field so he could be entertained in the match. Because everyone knew that his father had just died," said Polking.
In the first leg final which took place at the National Stadium, Singapore on Wednesday, December 29, Thailand was able to submerge the national team with a landslide score of 4-0 through braces by Chanathip Songkrasin, Supachok Sarachat and Bordin Phala.
Polking's decision to give Kawin an opportunity to play on the field occurred when the War Elephants led 3-0. At that time Polking pulled Siwarak Tedsungnoen who actually looked good to be replaced by Kawin.
While on the field in a state of mourning, Kawin's performance can still be relied on. Because, he proved to be successful in repelling the Garuda squad's attacks without a hitch until the match ended.
Although Kawin could only feel the atmosphere of the match at the last minute, Polking hoped his decision could comfort the grieving goalkeeper a little.
Regardless of the decision, Thailand's 4-0 win over Indonesia makes them more comfortable to play in the second leg of the final. The match will be held at the Singapore National Stadium, Saturday, January 1, 2022.
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