Striker Teerasil's withdrawal a setback for Thai team

The 25-year-old Teerasil was one of three players, along with his Muang Thong team-mate Panupong Wongsa and Chon Buri FC defender Chonlatit Jantakam, who have had to withdraw from the team for the fixture in Nanjing. 

The absence of the experienced trio presents a headache for caretaker coach Kiatisak “Zico” Senamuang in his first game in charge of the Thai team. The famed striker has replaced Winfried Schafer, who last week left the national post to take up a coaching role at Muang Thong.

“It’s clearly a blow. The three players are key members of the squad. But it would be an opportunity for younger players to prove their worth. This squad is largely made up of young talented players who are likely to make the SEA Games squad for the tournament in Burma at the end of the year.

“Should any one of them perform well, they certainly have a chance to get a call-up for the senior side in the future. I believe we could give them [China] a hard time in the match and it would be a good test for our youngsters, psychologically.”

Kiatisak, however, said that he would leave his job after the China fixture to continue his work as the coach of the under-23 SEA Games squad as he felt he was not ready yet to coach the senior team.

“I am giving my word that I would leave after the match against China. If you ask whether I would take charge of the team in the future, I cannot give a definite answer right now. I feel, at this point, that I haven’t had enough experience to coach the senior team.

“For me, it does not matter whether the Thai FA decides to hire a local or a foreigner as our next coach. Each decision has its pros and cons. A foreign coach might be good but he may not win over the players,” said Kiatisak.