Thailand hit by Fifa ruling
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Thailand will go ahead and play three warm-up matches later this month despite a decision by Fifa to endorse just one of the matches.
Fifa granted its approval for the match against New Zealand on November 18, meaning the result will be taken into account in calculating Thailand’s world ranking. World football’s governing body decided to reverse its decision to approve the team’s other two games, against the Philippines and Palestine.
All three games will take place at His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima as part of the team’s preparations for the Asean Championship, from November 22. Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi confirmed that the Thai side, currently languishing in 165th spot, their lowest position since the introduction of world rankings, would play three matches as planned, though the Philippines fixture will be pushed forward by a day to November 9, while on November 12 the Thais would on take second-tier Thai club Nakhonratchasima instead of Palestine.
