BANGKOK (12 Dec 2008) – Steve Darby will be the key for Thailand as they hope to break down Indonesia in the first-leg semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 which will be played at the Stadion Gelora Bung Karno on Tuesday.

Thailand head coach Peter Reid said that while he will have his plans for the team's strategy to take on Indonesia in front of their home fans, it will be Darby who holds the insight.

"We have put in some plans but I believe that Darby will be the key to the game because of his experience in these parts of the world," said Reid.

"For the moment, the team is developing very well where they have learn to play the way I want them to. But to take on Indonesia in Jakarta, we will have to formulate a different strategy."

Darby first came to the Asean region in 1998 when he signed to coach Johor FA and led them to the Malaysian FA Cup the same year before taking charge of the Vietnam national women's team to win the SEA Games god medal in 2001.

After staying at Sheffield Wednesday youth team for one season, the former Liverpool youth team goalkeeper then signed for Singapore's Home United FC.

In the four years that he was there, he led them to a league and cup double in 2003 and also a semi-final spot in the AFC Cup in 2004.

He then joined Perak FA in Malaysia in 2005 before signing to become the No. 2 with Reid in Thailand a few months back.