Bangkok: Thailand’s Tanaboon Kesarat urged fans of the national team to turn out in bigger numbers when they host Indonesia in Saturday’s Group B clash in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup.

Fewer than 10,000 were present for the opening day win over Timor Leste and Tanaboon hopes to see many more of the War Elephants supporters at the Rajamangala Stadium for what should be a tougher game.

With several thousand Indonesia fans expected to be present in Bangkok, Tanaboon emphasised the impact a larger support could have.

“It’s very important to have a bigger crowd,” he said. “It’s a big stadium and it’s clear when there are a lot of empty seats. This can have an effect on the players.”

Nevertheless, Tanaboon is confident that Thailand can build on the 7-0 win over Timor Leste by taking another three points and moving closer to a place in the semifinals.

“It’s another big game,” he said. “We have prepared well and hope to show improvement on the performance last week and take the three points.

“We are playing in front of our fans and expectations are high, so we always have to be looking for the win. But it’s equally important that we win again in the Philippines on Wednesday." 

As one of the more experienced members of the squad, Tanaboon has been over the course before as part of the winning squad in 2014 and 2016.

But the defensive midfielder insists he does not shoulder any added responsibility in a squad in which everyone has to fight for their places.

“The head coach does not focus on individuals,” he said. “He focuses on the team as a whole and everyone has responsibilities. No one is guaranteed a place in the starting eleven and there is competition for places in every position.”