Thailand head coach Anthony Hudson welcomed the addition of striker Patrik Gustavsson, saying the BG Pathum United star will give the team an attacking option in the first leg of the Asean Hyundai Cup semi-finals on Saturday.
Speaking to the media before the team's departure for Singapore on Thursday, Hudson thanked Patrik's club BG Pathum United for allowing the Thai-Swedish striker to join the team in the knockout stage.
"I would like to thank BG Pathum United for allowing Patrik to help the team in the semi-finals. Patrik didn't play in the group stage, where we incorporated various playing styles, but with the increased number of attacking players and Patrik's unique style, I think he will be a great help to us in this round," Hudson said.
"The players have done well in training. Tomorrow [today] we will have our final training session before facing Singapore. There may be some minor details to add, but everything is currently in good shape."
Meanwhile, Patrik said he is fully fit and ready to help the team. "We had about a week to prepare for the match against Singapore, which is good, and we've trained well. As for my physical condition, I'm 100 percent now," said the striker.
"I'm happy to see the Thai national team score many goals. We played good attacking football. Now I'm trying to help everyone in the team. I've worked with the coach [Hudson] before at BG, so I know his tactics and methods.
"If I get the chance to play, I will try my best and help the team win. That's the most important thing. The main goal in this away game against Singapore is to win, and everyone in the team is determined to win all the remaining games and win the championship."
Midfielder Thossawat Limwanasathien echoed Patrik's sentiment and said all the players hope to produce the right results.
"The training has been intense and we expect good results in both matches. I think every game we play is difficult, but we have strategies and methods to cope," he said.
"Personally, I think their strength is their ball control, so we need to prepare to face that.
"Everyone knows that away games are not easy, but if we win, it will make things easier when we return to play at home."
Thailand, who finished as Group B winners, will face Group A runners-up Singapore at Jalan Besar Stadium tomorrow, with the return leg taking place at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium three days later.
