PSV to play Muangthong United in January

The AIA Super Cup 2013 between the top teams of both countries, due on January 8 at the SCG Stadium, is part of the partnership deal signed between AIA Thailand and the 21-time Eredivise winners prior to the PSV-Willem II match on Saturday at the fully-packed Philips Stadion.

Coached by Dick Advocaat, PSV will also conduct coaching clinics for local youngsters and workshops for officials of leading Thai football clubs. AIA said it is an attempt to support the sustainable development of Thai football.

“The partnership is aimed to spur knowledge and expertise sharing in youth development, team management, financial acumen, state-of-the-art technical training and nutrition. These essential factors will lay the necessary groundwork and unlock the potential of Thai football, especially for our future generation,” said Ron van Oijen, AIA Thailand’s chief executive officer.

“Holland Youth Development programme is known worldwide as one of the best. Even though Thailand is not [an established] football country, with a population of 66 million, the country has great potential. That’s why we will bring knowledge sharing for those involved in football at many levels – from youth players and supporters to club management executives. The club will effectively share its skilful training and efficiency to Thai players, as well as help promote sustainable development of the Thais,” added van Oijen, a former footballer himself.

PSV, one of the three European Cup-winning clubs in Holland alongside Ajax and Feyenoord, are supposed to send their main players to Bangkok, namely skipper Kevin Strootman, who scored a double in Saturday’s 3-2 comeback win against Willem II and the diminutive Belgian Dries Mertens.

“When you are young, you must never give up and even when things are not going so good, you just have to continue,” Mertens said, adding that his message is aimed at Thai 

kids.

PSV director Tiny Sanders said: “When we go to Asia, it’s not just to play football. We would also share our knowledge. We will exchange styles of professional football. We will have intensive workshops not just about management but also on aspects such as finance, scouting, commercials, talent development, media and marketing.”

Executives from leading football clubs of the Thailand Premier League attended the signing ceremony as guests of honour. They were Ronnarit Suewaja, director, Muangthong United; Miti Tiyapairat, president of Chiang Rai United; Thanasak Suraprasert of Chonburi FC; Narong Khamwijit of Chamchuri FC; and Maj-General Umpone Chupratum of Army United FC.