In the preliminary group stages of the men’s under-23 competition, the Thai side, whose best result was a fourth place in the previous three editions of the continent’s multi-sport event in 1990, 1998 and 2002, are in Group E along with Maldives, Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
The Thai team, coached by former national striker Kiatisak “Zico” Senamuang, are expected to secure one of the two qualification spots for the knock-out stages. If Kiatisak’s side do advance to the next round, they are likely to face either North Korea or China from the three-team Group F.
The Thai women’s team, who earlier this year made history by clinching a berth in the World Cup finals in Canada next year, were drawn with hosts South Korea, India and Maldives in Group A. The Koreans beat the Thais 4-0 in the recent Asian Championship in Vietnam, where the latter ended up fifth to secure a place in the World Cup for the first time.