SAITAMA -- Japan centre-back Maya Yoshida hopes Chanathip Songkrasin can help lift Thai football to greater heights after the Muang Thong United playmaker joins J.League side Consadole Sapporo in July.
Southampton man Yoshida was on target in the Samurai Blue's 4-0 victory over Thailand in Tuesday's Group B 2018 World Cup qualifier in Saitama. Despite the scoreline, the defender was not impressed by his side's performance. Yet he found the time to give Chanathip -- fondly known as "Messi J" across Southeast Asia -- his best wishes.
"I think it was a really sloppy game for us, but the most important thing is we got three points," Yoshida told ESPN FC. "We have to improve many things, and we should have done better.
"Thailand have improved a lot. I spoke to Chanathip, who will come to Consadole Sapporo in the summer. I told him he would have to be a leader for his country and show his best form. I wished him the best of luck and I hope that Thailand's football future is bright."
Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima was also impressed by Chanathip, and the Thailand performance in general as the visitors missed a penalty, and failed to convert several gilt-edged chances.
"I thought Thailand were really impressive because they are physically and technically very good," Kawashima told ESPN FC.
"We struggled a lot in the first half and I have to say I was really impressed by them. Chanathip and Siroch Chatthong were particularly strong, but the whole team was good. Thailand are much stronger than they were in the past."
Thailand full-back Tristan Do admits that his side need to find a sharper cutting edge after watching Japan's Europe-based stars put four past the War Elephants.
Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki, Yuya Kubo and Yoshida struck the goals in the Samurai Blue's victory. The Thais had plenty of opportunities of their own, but lacked the clinical finishing touch of their opponents.
"It's difficult one to explain," Do told ESPN FC. "We played well, possibly our best performance of the campaign, and ended up losing 4-0. That's football, and it's difficult to accept the result, but we have to take positives from our performance, though the score was disappointing.
"Japan has a very good team but they possibly had about the same number of chances as us. But they took their chances and that's what makes the difference at this level."
Do's outstanding all-action display was one of the highlights for the War Elephants. When it was suggested that this might make him a transfer target for J League clubs, he admitted that he would be interested in any move that represented a step up.
"Every player wants to play at the highest possible level, whether it be in Europe or the Thai League," said Do. "We are all prepared to take our chance to play at the highest level."
Thailand's head coach Kiatisuk Senamuang insisted there was no shame in losing to a better side.
"We knew from the start that we were up against a much stronger team, and we have to accept that their finishing was clinical," said Kiatisuk. "Our build-up play was better in the second half, but we couldn't take our chances. Overall, it was a good experience and good for the team's development.
"It was very difficult for the players to recover from the 3-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia last week, but they showed their spirit by fighting until the end. Nobody let their heads go down and we battled all the way. We simply came up against a better side on the night."
Kiatisuk made several changes from last week's side, including the pairing of Tanaboon Kesarat and debutant Wattana Playnum in the centre of midfield. Tanaboon had been a regular at centre-back, despite the fact that he plays midfield with Thai League club Chiang Rai United.
"Both Tanaboon and Wattana were playing in their natural positions," Kiatisuk told ESPN FC. "I think their performances today were excellent, especially Wattana on his debut, so I think that shows promise for the future of this partnership."
Thailand now have to wait until June 13 to resume their campaign and will hope that an elusive first win comes against the United Arab Emirates in Bangkok.
