Thailand team brings young players to play against Vietnam team
Thailand national team head coach Masatada Ishii has announced 23 names going to Vietnam to participate in the 2024 International Friendly Tournament, in this list there are many young players.
On the afternoon of August 27, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) officially announced the list of the national team that will come to Vietnam to participate in the LPBank Cup 2024 friendly tournament.
Accordingly, the 23 players just selected by coach Masatada Ishii are mostly young players, in good form at the moment. While veterans such as Chanathip, Bunmathan, Adisak Kraisorn or Teerasil Dangda are not present for various reasons.
Speaking to the press, coach Masatada Ishii emphasized that the biggest goal of the Thai team in the two matches above, especially the match with rival Vietnam, is only to test the players' form and test new elements.
“Facing good opponents like Russia and Vietnam, I try to make sure the players understand the tactics and show their best potential. I want to test the players’ performance and test the young players. Thailand does not set a target for results in this tournament,” said the Japanese strategist.
"The two opponents of the Thai team, Vietnam and Russia, are very strong and challenging. It is not easy to get a good result against them. However, the Thai team will bring to Vietnam a team with many young players to face these two tough opponents," the captain of the Thai team affirmed.
The "War Elephants" squad going to My Dinh this time includes strikers Suphanat Mueanta (OH Leuven), Supachai Jaided (Buriram United), midfielders Supachok Sarachat (Consadole Sapporo), Ekanit Panya (Urawa Reds), Weerathep Pomphan (True Bangkok United), Channarong Phromsrikaew (Chonburi FC), defenders Jonathern Khemdee (Ratchaburi FC), Elias Doloh (Bali United), Suphan Thongsong (True Bangkok United)...
On this occasion, the Thai team also called up a number of players who are playing abroad. Besides the duo Supachok - Ekanit who are playing in Japan or Suphanat in Belgium, coach Masatada Ishii also called up Thai-born defender Nicholas Mickelson (OB Odense - Belgium) and Swedish-born striker Patrik Gustavsson (Nara Club - Japan).
According to the plan, the Thai team will start training on September 2 before arriving in Vietnam on September 5. Two days later, they will take the field to face the Russian team at 8:00 p.m. on September 5. On September 10, Thailand will meet the Vietnamese team in the final match of the LPBank Cup.
List of 23 Thai national team players in the September 2024 gathering:
- Goalkeepers: Patthi Khammai (True Bangkok United), Saranon Anuin (BG Pathum United), Korakot Piphatnadda (Rayong FC)
- Defenders: Sasalak Haiprakon (Buriram United), Chaiwat Buran (Port Authority FC), Songwut Krakruan (Muangthong United), Waris Chuthong (BG Pathum United), Elias Doloh (Bali United), Nicholas Mickelson (OB Odense), Suphan Thongsong (True Bangkok United), Jonathern Khemdee (Ratchaburi FC)
- Midfielders: Worachit Kanitsribamphen (Port Authority FC), Supachok Sarachat (Consadole Sapporo), Weerathep Pomphan (True Bangkok United), Ekanit Panya (Urawa Reds), Anan Yodsangwan (Lamphun Warriors), Akaraphong Phumwiset (Lamphun Warriors), William Wildercher (Uthai Thani FC), Channarong Phromsrikaew (Chonburi FC)
- Forwards: Suphanat Mueanta (OH Leuven), Supachai Jaided (Buriram United), Theerasak Peipimai (Port Authority FC), Patrik Gustafsson (Nara Club)