Kiatisak and his team deserve all the plaudits for the triumph

2013 would have been a year with few good things to note had it not been for the national under-23 side’s successful reclaiming of the SEA Games title in Myanmar last month. The success achieved by coach Kiatisak “Zico” Senamuang’s side, therefore, ensured a troubled year ended on a high note. And, many now hope the new year would bring changes in fortunes to Thai football.

The current mood is entirely different from a few months ago when the sport was caught in a maelstrom due to the controversial poll in October, which saw Worawi Makudi retain his post as the Thai FA boss for a fourth consecutive term.

However, the 62-year-old Worawi is yet to officially assume his role due to the fallout from the vote that was tainted by allegations of wrongdoing. Given such a despairing situation, it’s little wonder that the SEA Games triumph in Nay Pyi Taw, which came after humiliating back-to-back group stage exits in the previous two editions of the biennial tournament, considerably lifted the public mood.

Keeping the country’s title triumph against the backdrop of off-the field trouble, it made the success of Kiatisak’s youthful side, who defeated 2011 finalists Indonesia 1-0 in the final, all the more remarkable. The power vacuum at the Thai FA more or less must have affected the Thai team’s preparations for the Games. 

Kiatisak’s side somehow managed to thrive on adversity. The Thais might have been far from firing on all cylinders on the way to the title but they did make a solid run that saw them go through the tournament unbeaten. The only blot on their campaign was a goalless draw against unheralded Cambodia in their final group match after they were already assured of qualification for the semi-finals.

Literally, former national striker Kiatisak worked wonders in his first coaching job at international level by helping the country regain the title that had eluded them since 2007. His decision to mix new players with some members from the 2011 squad that went out of the group stage with a dismal record of only one victory and three losses proved a shrewd move.

Left back Theerathon Bunmathan, who Kiatisak handed the captain’s armband, put behind a nightmarish memory in Indonesia two years ago by becoming one of the team’s stand-out performers in Myanmar, while newcomers like Praweenwat Boonyong more than made their mark at the tournament.

But, Kiatisak, currently taking a course for an A-licence, deserved the plaudits for his hard work in unfavourable circumstances caused by the turmoil at the Thai FA. His achievement showed there is still light at the end of tunnel and it came as no surprise that the association has already lined him up for the senior team’s post.