Thai ace Therdsak has a point to prove in Tiger Cup

THAI ace Therdsak Chaiman will again be the player to watch in the Tiger Cup tournament. 

After being named the S- League Player of the Year for 2002 in his stint with Singapore Armed Forces, Therdsak carried his form into the Tiger Cup. 

BACK IN FORCE: Thai ace Therdsak Chaiman will again be the player to watch in the Tiger Cup.

In the final two years ago, Therdsak scored Thailand's second goal in the 6-4 victory over Indonesia and he was also named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. 

It was another good season for Therdsak a year later, playing an instrumental role to help Thailand's Tero Sasana to a runners-up finish in the AFC Champions League. 

But things didn't look good for Therdsak this season. He came down with a groin injury, which bothered him for five months from January to May. 

Therdsak played his first international of the year in a friendly match against Bahrain in July. He was not much of a help to his team as he was only 60% fit for the match and the Thais were beaten 0-2. 

“I carried the injury for five months because I continued to play for my club. It has been very frustrating for me,” Therdsak told footballasia.com 

“I will have to eat well and get plenty of rest between training sessions if I am going to improve on my fitness. I want to play for Thailand and I want to do well.” 

Team manager Vimol Kanjana said: “Therdsak has had an injury-hit season this year and only played five times for his club in Vietnam, East Asia Bank. 

“He is now back in full fitness and has a point to prove after the club in Vietnam decided to terminate his contract. He will be the captain of this side because all the players look up to him.” 

Therdsak's return to form will be crucial to Thailand as the team will be without his usual partner in attack, Kiatisuk Senamuang, who was not selected by German coach Siegfried Held. 

Therdsak is expected to form a partnership with Sutee Suksomkit, who plays for Home United in the S-League. 

But Sutee has been recently reported to be recovering from a foot surgery and may not be able to make the trip to Kuala Lumpur for the Tiger Cup.