Singapore, December 3: Bangkok United FC head coach Totchtawan Sripan is confident his team can continue their impressive record against Singapore’s Lion City Sailors FC ahead of the clubs’ ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ Group B meeting in Pathum Thani on Thursday.
The Thai League 1 side have won on each of the four occasions the clubs have faced one another in continental competition and the former midfielder believes his team has the ability to notch up a fifth victory.
“We did beat them four times before, but every match is different,” said Totchtawan. “Each game has different momentum and different tactical demands. We always try to eliminate our own mistakes and exploit the opponent’s weaknesses.
“Whoever can take advantage of those moments first will be key to gaining victory. Of course, we want to go for a fifth win against Lion City Sailors.”
Bangkok United won both of the meetings between the teams in the group stages of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League and repeated the feat in the ongoing AFC Champions League Two, but this will be the first time the clubs have met in the Shopee Cup™
Totchtawan’s team have only played once in the group phase of the 2025/26 edition so far, losing 4-0 to Johor Darul Ta’zim FC at Sultan Ismail Stadium in September while Lion City were defeated by the same opponent in their only match a month earlier.
“This is another very important game for us,” said Totchtawan. “A victory would put us in a strong position for the next stage. We know the quality of the opposition, but we are playing at home and our objective is to qualify for the next stage.”
Despite his team’s disappointing head-to-head record against Bangkok United, Lion City coach Aleksandar Ranković is relishing the prospect of facing off against the Thai League 1 outfit yet again.
“We have played them many times over the last two years, not only in official matches but also in friendlies, so we know each other very well — the strengths and the weaknesses,” he said.
“For me, there is no extra pressure. It is simply another important competition, and we are happy to be here and face them again. Hopefully this time, the result can go our way.
“Honestly, I am happy when we get to play games. That is something we did not have enough of in previous months. These are the matches that both I and my players really look forward to. These are the games that test you at a higher level.”
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