The Thai national team brought a squad of young players to play against the Vietnamese national team.
Thailand's head coach, Masatada Ishii, has announced the 23-man squad for the 2024 International Friendly Tournament in Vietnam, a list that includes many young players.
On the afternoon of August 27th, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) officially announced the list of the Thai national team that will travel to Vietnam to participate in the LPBank Cup 2024 friendly tournament.
Accordingly, the 23 players recently selected by coach Masatada Ishii are mostly young players who are currently in good form. Meanwhile, veterans such as Chanathip, Bunmathan, Adisak Kraisorn, and Teerasil Dangda are not included for various reasons.
Speaking to the press, coach Masatada Ishii emphasized that the biggest goal for the Thai national team in the two matches, especially the clash with rival Vietnam, was simply to test the players' form and experiment with new talents.
"Facing Russia and Vietnam are good opponents, and I'm trying to ensure the players understand the tactics and showcase their best potential. I want to test the players' form and experiment with young talents. Thailand isn't setting any specific results for this tournament," the Japanese strategist said.
"Thailand's two opponents, Vietnam and Russia, are very strong and challenging; it won't be easy to get a good result against them. However, the Thai team will bring a squad with many young players to Vietnam to face these two difficult opponents," the head coach of the Thai team affirmed.
The "War Elephants" squad arriving at My Dinh Stadium this time includes forwards 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 national team also called up several players currently playing abroad. Besides the duo Supachok and Ekanit playing in Japan and 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 national team will begin training on September 2nd before arriving in Vietnam on September 5th. Two days later, they will play against Russia at 8:00 PM on September 5th. On September 10th, Thailand will meet Vietnam in their final match of the LPBank Cup.
Here is the list of 23 players for the Thailand national team's training camp in September 2024:
- 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)