thai-fussball.com: Sinthaveechai Hathairattanakool, perhaps surprisingly for many, showed steady performances and good form in all of the World Cup Qualifiying matches. No small amount of credit for this must go to you. Did you think that in this short space of time you could really make such a difference and cause this change?
Stefan Brasas: It is nice if people think that. But basically it is not only to my credit: it is to his own. I can offer certain things in training, which the boys can transform into something. Sinthaveechai is a very intelligent player just as the others [Kawin, Sivaruck, ed] are and they have simply understood what I want from them. Sinthaveechai was the first choice keeper already – owing to Kawin's injury – when I arrived and he is now on the up.
thai-fussball.com: Sinthaveechai and Kawin, both have foreign coaches at their clubs. Does this matter to you?
Stefan Brasas: It doesn't, as there are only good or bad coaches. I don't like to judge the coaches at club level, as I don't know their work. Anyway, there is nothing to complain about from my side as both are fit as a fiddle and physically in good shape. At the end of the day, I have to work with the lads as I get them.
thai-fussball.com: Indeed, it seems you have achieved this (an uncompromising will to win and to be strong) with Sinthaveechai, considering his recent performances. Just with crosses he looks greatly improved and more self-confident.
Stefan Brasas: We have worked on it from the first day. Because we knew, if we wanted to compete in Australia, he must help his teammates. On average the Australians are twenty centimetres taller. If you look at Manuel Neuer, what is he doing when he expects a corner kick, a free kick? Basically he tries to change his passive position to an active one in which he, from the outset, shows readiness to go for the ball. This of course needs to be put together in training: footwork, coordination, all these things. But the readiness to show you have no fear and to say “this ball is mine”, this is important. Even if there is someone who is 1.90 m going for the header and you are just 1.80 m, it doesn't matter. It is purely a mental thing. A successful goalkeeper does not hesitate; he goes into the box and punches the ball away. If he misses the ball, who cares? Don’t be afraid; go your own way.
thai-fussball.com: There are no further friendlies before the King’s Cup in January. Does Kawin have a chance to win back the number one position?
Stefan Brasas: Basically it is a constant fight and everybody has their chance. Even if one is the current number one between the sticks, it is not engraved in stone. It always depends on performances. As the camp is starting again, we will see the shape everybody is in. But in my opinion, Sinthaveechai is the first choice and there is no doubt about that after the past five games. Kawin is very young, one shouldn’t forget this. In fact, the future belongs to him and everybody should be aware of that. On the other hand, Sinthaveechai is just 29, and if I was in his place, I wouldn't let anyone push me aside easily!
thai-fussball.com: ...particularly if you consider he still can play for ten more years.
Stefan Brasas: Well, maybe not ten years at this level, but certainly five to six years.
thai-fussball.com: We remember a press conference after an AFC Cup game which Chonburi won 4-1. Coach Heng was anything but pleased with his team and even criticised his team for not scoring more goals: this was not typical Thai behaviour.
Stefan Brasas: I have seen Heng a few times and how he freaked out during the semi-final against Buriram-PEA. He lives and preaches this; he is doing a great job. His team always plays with closed ranks. He is also very practical and ruthless in what he does, even if he sometimes takes players off after fifteen minutes and doesn't consider them again for two or three weeks.
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