FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Humble Mongkol, the man with a Suzuki Cup plan 

Humble Mongkol, the man with a Suzuki Cup plan 

RIGHT-WINGER Mongkol Tossakrai has vowed to help Thailand win their third straight AFF Suzuki Cup crown and repay Milovan Rajevac’s renewed faith in him. 

 

The 31-year-old Police Tero forward has always been first choice for the national coach, earning the Serbian’s favour by scoring in two of Thailand’s biggest games last year – in Fifa World Cup Qualification against the UAE and in the King’s Cup against North Korea.

Thailand demolished Timor Leste 7-0 in the Asean football competition last Friday at home. Mongkol assisted Adisak Kraisorn in scoring the fifth goal of his double hat-trick against the Timorese – a Suzuki Cup record for a Thai. 

“I feel so grateful to be selected for the first line-up again by the coach,” said Mongkol. “My selection is always criticised, but the coach has faith in me. He told me I should make the most of the opportunity by giving my all and enjoying the games. His inspirational messages mean a lot to me as a player.”

Mongkol was humble, saying that though he was not a talented player, he believed it was his willingness to follow the coach’s instructions strictly that had earned him the Serbian’s admiration.

“If we follow his game plan, we stand a good shot at winning,” said Mongkol, one of six players over 30 in the 23-strong squad.

Mongkol was part of the national squad that won back-to-back Cup titles in 2014 and 2016. He is still hungry for another victory as the team head into their second Group B game against Indonesia on Saturday at Rajamangala National Stadium. “I always want to win every time I play for the country. Whenever I’m sent onto the pitch, I will keep running to help the team every possible way I can.”

After a break on Sunday, the national team resumed training yesterday. The game against Indonesia will be televised live on Channel 7 from 6.30pm.

Meanwhile, according to Indonesian FA, around 4,000 Indonesian fans, known as the "Garudas" will come to support their team at the stadium on Saturday.

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