Naruphol a worry ahead of SEA Games kick-off
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Thailand are sweating on the fitness of Muang Thong United midfielder Naruphol Ar-romsawa ahead of their opening SEA Games match against defending champions Malaysia next week.
The Thais could not have asked for a more difficult task in their bid to reclaim a title they won eight consecutive times before their streak ended in Laos two years ago.
Along with Malaysia, the group features the other two top-tier countries in the region, hosts Indonesia and Singapore, with unfancied Cambodia completing the section in the under-23 tournament.
After moving the training camp to Phuket to escape flooding in the capital, the Thai team coached by Praphol Pongpanich continued their preparation yesterday with a morning jog along the sands of the resort island’s famed Karon beach.
The evening session in Sarakul stadium saw Naruphol train separately from the team after picking up a groin injury which puts his participation in the Malaysia fixture on November 9 in question. “Naruphol’s condition is worrying. I’m not sure whether he will regain fitness in time for the game against Malaysia. The team doctor is monitoring his injury closely.
“We certainly won’t risk him in the warm-up game against Phuket FC on Thursday, so he will get complete rest. With only a week left before the start of the tournament, I have instructed every player to take good care of himself,” said team manager Kasem Jariyawatwong.
Admission for Thursday’s match against Phuket FC at Sarakul stadium is Bt100, with proceeds going to relief efforts for flood victims.
