Thailand national team coach criticized for 'boring tactics'

Ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Cup semifinals, Thailand national team coach Anthony Hudson has been criticized for having a boring, soporific tactical approach.

Although Thailand reached the 2026 ASEAN Cup semifinals with a perfect record, Coach Hudson's tactics have been deemed unappealing and dull.

Siam Sport reported that Coach Hudson himself was asked about his controversial tactics. He stated: "My coaching philosophy is clearly divided into three phases. The first phase mainly focused on results, aiming to qualify Thailand for the Asian Cup. The June phase was about adjusting the playing style to avoid excessive intensity, as the players had just finished their season. Currently, most players are in preseason training and have not yet reached peak physical condition."

Hudson also said he had to rotate the squad and adjust tactics to cope with the players' physical condition.

In a post on Pantip forum, a Thai fan admitted that Coach Hudson's style is often viewed as boring, lacking identity, and unattractive. After 9 matches in charge, Hudson led Thailand to 7 wins and 2 draws. According to the fan, Coach Hudson does not have a fixed tactical system but changes it depending on the opponent, objectives, and match circumstances. Hudson first studies the opponent, then finds the solution to achieve results with the lowest risk.

In the match against Myanmar, Thailand allowed the opponent to have more possession, focusing on limiting dangerous chances instead of pressing or controlling the game continuously. When leading, the team prioritized protecting their advantage. This approach helped Thailand get results but made the match less exciting.

Meanwhile, Thai football expert Chamnong Songkue believes that the criticism of Coach Hudson's tactics is justified, but also calls for understanding for the coach and the players. He said that the "War Elephants" only had 10 days of preparation, training time was limited due to rain, they couldn't train hard as players were in mid-season break, and there were many new faces. The team only played one friendly before the tournament, so they needed time to improve. Therefore, prioritizing results, fitness, and squad rotation was reasonable.

"Overall, the performance may not be truly convincing, but I still understand how Hudson set up the tactics and how the players performed. The next challenge is to overcome Singapore to reach the final," Chamnong Songkue commented.