Thai players may have to work 'part-time' to win SEA Games gold medal

Up to now, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has not yet reached an agreement with the clubs to release players for SEA Games 33.

Thailand U22 team does not know whether it can use its best force at SEA Games or not - Photo: DAILY NEWS

Recently, Thailand U22 coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul announced a list of up to 50 players to prepare for the 33rd SEA Games. Most of these are players currently playing domestically for clubs in Thai-League 1, Thai-League 2 and Thai-League 3.

This causes a lot of difficulties for the home team, when domestic tournaments do not stop so that players have time to focus fully on SEA Games 33. FAT has negotiated many times but the clubs have not agreed to the proposal to "release players" for the national U22 team.

This could put U22 Thailand in a difficult situation without enough quality players. Meanwhile, their goal is to win the gold medal at home.

In that situation, a strange solution may be considered by FAT as well as the coaching staff of U22 Thailand. According to the Thai Daily News , the players may have to work "part-time" for the national team and club.

Specifically, some people may compete in the SEA Games, then immediately return to their home team. It is not impossible that they will have to compete two consecutive days, for two different teams.

Daily News assessed that this solution is situational, and can be applied in the group stage when U22 Thailand only has to face weak teams like Cambodia and Timor Leste.

However, it can also create unpredictable consequences, especially in terms of physical strength when players have to constantly move around, competing for the U22 team and their home club. Training will also be very difficult, because the tactics of the U22 Thailand team and the club certainly have many differences. This "part-time" solution can make the home team pay a high price at the SEA Games.

The 33rd SEA Games will take place from December 9 to 20 in Thailand. The host's goal is to win all four gold medals in football with the U22 team, women's team, men's and women's futsal.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cau-thu-thai-lan-co-the-phai-lam-viec-ban-thoi-gian-de-gianh-huy-chuong-vang-sea-games-20251109102836112.htm