Without many key players, U22 Thailand coach still declares SEA Games championship

The U22 Thailand team will gather today, with 29 players. However, among the 29 players on the preliminary list, coach Issara Sritaro admitted that he is not sure if he will have the service of a few names for the 32nd SEA Games campaign.

This list notably includes three key players including centre-back Jonathan Khemdee (Ratchaburi United), striker Teerasak Poeiphimai (Port FC) and Setthasit Suwannaset (Chiangrai United). The above players still have to compete with their home clubs in Thailand's domestic football tournaments (FA Cup and League Cup).

Vắng nhiều trụ cột, HLV U22 Thái Lan vẫn tuyên bố vô địch SEA Games - 1 — Coach Issara Sritaro believes that U22 Thailand is capable of winning the 32nd SEA Games (Photo: Thai Rath).

Among them, center-back Jonathan Khemdee and striker Teerasak Poeiphimai were the ones who scored for the Thailand U22 team at the Doha Cup at the end of March.

Regarding the personnel issue of the Thai team, coach Issara Sritaro said: "The team list has been discussed with the clubs. Some clubs allow players to gather from today (April 20), others do not, because they still have matches scheduled with their home teams."

"Those responsible for the U22 Thailand team are still trying to negotiate with domestic clubs. We will try to bring good players to the SEA Games, but in the worst case, U22 Thailand will have to accept the risk of missing these players" - Coach Issara Sritaro predicted that the unexpected possibility could come to the young team of the Golden Temple country.

Despite facing the risk of missing key players, coach Issara Sritaro still believes in the ability of U22 Thailand to win the 32nd SEA Games championship.

The coach said: "The 11 official players are almost in my head. I still believe in the potential of the players I have, U22 Thailand has a chance to win the gold medal."

"Another problem is hoping that no one will be injured before the team leaves for the SEA Games" - still the words of coach Issara Sritaro.

According to the plan, U22 Thailand will go to Cambodia on April 27, before having their opening match against Singapore on April 30. The most important match of the young Thai team in the group stage of SEA Games 32 is against U22 Vietnam on May 11.

In the men's football event of this year's Southeast Asian Games , U22 Thailand and U22 Vietnam are in Group B, with Malaysia, Singapore and Laos.