Schaefer keen to make up lost ground
National soccer team coach Winfried Schaefer is hoping an intensive training camp will compensate for a shortage of fixtures as the German prepares his charges for the upcoming Asean Championship.
Three-time champions Thailand have been criticised for their inactivity, while their regional rivals have been busy recently ahead of the biennial tournament, from November 24 to December 22 in Thailand and Malaysia.
The 62-year-old Schaefer has shown concern at the lack of tests faced by his team in the run-up to their quest to reclaim a title they last won in 2002. Thailand will launch their campaign against the Philippines in the opening Group A match at Rajamangala National stadium.
Schaefer’s plans were further disrupted when the German had to make a last-minute change to his list of players submitted for registration to the Asean Football Federation on Thursday. Three of the six Buriram United players he had his eye on were unavailable for various reasons.
“It’s disappointing that three Buriram players were unable to join us. Goalkeeper Sivaruk Terdsungnoen and forward Adisak Kraisorn will travel to England, while Anthony Ampaipanwong and Surat Sukha are struggling with injuries.
“So, there are only two Buriram players, Teerathon Boonmathan and Jakkaphan Kaewprom, in our provisional 35-man squad,” said Schaefer.
The players will report for a training camp next Thursday, before the German trims the squad to 23 on November 20.
The Thai team will have three warm-up matches in the run-up to the tournament, playing title-holders Malaysia on November 7, Bhutan on November 14 and Bangladesh on November 18, with the venues yet to be decided.
The eight-country tournament sees Thailand in Group A along with Vietnam, Myanmar and the Philippines, while Group B comprises Malaysia, who won the title for the first time in the previous edition, Indonesia, Singapore and Laos.
