Place opens up for second Thai team in Asian League
With no Thai representative in the AFC Champions League proper since 2008, Thailand is now assured of at least one automatic place in the continent's elite club competition from next season.
None of Thailand’s sole representatives the past four seasons has made it through to the knockout stage, with Muang Thong United going down to Singaporean and Indonesian clubs respectively in the last two years.
However, the Asian Football Confederation on Thursday announced the places each national association receive for the 2012 edition, with Thailand earning one automatic place as well as one play-off berth.
That would increase prospects of success in a tournament no Thai side has won since its launch in 2002/03, with BEC Tero Sasana coming closest with a 2-1 loss to UAE club Al Ain in the final that year.
The Football Association of Thailand revealed the play-off spot would go to the winners of the Thaicom FA Cup. In the event that a team claims a league and Cup double, the league’s runners-up would earn the spot instead.
