SEA Games soccer squad named
Thailand have named a 20-member squad for the forthcoming SEA Games in Indonesia, where they will be bidding to reclaim their crown as the region's soccer kings.
The Thais have captured the soccer title eight consecutive times in the biennial tournament but their winning run was snapped last year in Laos, where they suffered the ignominy of a firstround exit.
The Thais’ route to glory in Indonesia is far from smooth, having been slotted into the same group as three of the region’s top-tier nations – defending champions Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, while unfancied Cambodia complete the section.
Kasem Jariyawatwong, the Thai team manager, said he made a last-minute change to the list by including Buriram PEA leftback Theerathon Bunmathan from the senior international squad.
“We will travel to Indonesia with only 19 players – Theerathon will join us later after completing his World Cup duties against Australia on November 15.
“After that match, the senior side have no fixtures until next year, so there is no reason why we should not include him in the team,” said Kasem, who returned from the South yesterday after watching his charges lose 2-0 in a warmup match against Songkhla FC.
