U22 Thailand unlikely to have the strongest squad at SEA Games

Because SEA Games 32 does not overlap with FIFA Days and the Thai League 1 is still in progress, it is difficult for U22 Thailand to bring their strongest team to compete in Cambodia.

Suphanat Mueanta, who has a training schedule in Europe, will almost certainly not be able to return in time for the 32nd SEA Games. Photo: FAT

The men's football event of the 32nd SEA Games will take place from April 29 to May 16, while the Thai League 1 will end on May 12. Due to the conflicting FIFA Days schedule, Thai clubs are not required to release players during this time.

According to Siam Sport, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) and the Thai League organizing committee have a policy of giving more priority to tournaments at the Asian level and above. Clubs will support the U23 team more when the FAT needs to call up players to compete in the U23 Asian qualifiers or the Olympic qualifiers.

Therefore, to have players for the upcoming SEA Games, FAT is negotiating with each club to release players.

The coaching staff of U22 Thailand is also preparing for the difficult scenario of calling this player to compete in Cambodia. Coach Issara Sritaro called up players according to three options: definitely participating, possibly participating, and unlikely participating. "We expect to have seven to eight players from the main squad that just played in the 2023 Doha Cup," Coach Issara told Thairath. "In addition, the team will have three to four regular reserve players."

Thailand hopes to call up key players such as defenders Chatmongkol Rueangthanarot, Jonathan Khemdee, midfielders Airfan Doloh, Channarong Promsrikaew or striker Teerasak Poeiphimai to the SEA Games squad. However, number one star Suphanat Mueanta - the striker currently playing for Buriram United - has a 99% chance of being absent. "Suphanat will go to Europe to train after the end of Thai League 1," the Thailand U22 coach explained.

U22 Thailand unlikely to have the strongest squad at SEA Games

Coach Issara while leading Thailand U22 to the Doha Cup friendly tournament in March. Photo: FAT

However, the Thai U22 coach said he had talked to Buriram president Newin Chidchob, hoping that the club would create conditions for Suphanat to play for the team from the SEA Games semi-finals. Coach Issara also called for support from clubs because after many years, Thailand has had a quality U23 generation, since the 1990 generation of Theerathon Bunmathan and the 1993 generation of Chanathip Songkrasin.

The U22 teams participating in the 32nd SEA Games are expected to register a maximum of 20 official players. Thailand aims to win the 32nd SEA Games gold medal after two years of watching Vietnam win the title. In Cambodia, Thailand is in Group B and will meet Singapore on April 30, Malaysia on May 6, Laos on May 8 and Vietnam on May 11.

According to Hieu Luong/VNE

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