THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

A THAI STAR in the making

A THAI STAR in the making

TEENAGER SUPACHAI SEEN AS HOPE FOR FUTURE AFTER HIS SHOW IN SUZUKI CUP

UP-AND-COMING Supachai Jaided said he still has a lot to learn despite being regarded as one of the future stars of Thailand after scoring three goals for the Kingdom in the AFF Suzuki Cup.
The 19-year-old scored his third goal in the tournament during the last group-stage game against Singapore at the Rajamangala National Stadium on Sunday. The home team won the match 3-0 and stormed into the semi-final stage as Group B leaders with 10 points.
The Buriram United striker was named Man of the Match afterwards. He had earlier scored once each in matches against Timor Leste and the Philippines.
“I’m honoured to be given the award but the team’s victory is far more important,” said Supachai, who will turn 20 on Saturday. “Every time I enter a game, I’m not focused on |scoring a goal or winning an award. I’m more concerned with helping the team and trying to follow the coach’s tactics. It’s the team result that counts the most.”
For the second straight game, the teenager was handed a first-team place by coach Milovan Rajevac. He has been touted by many as the future hope of Thai football after his impressive performances in Asian Games in August.
“It’s good for the team to have such a quality young player. There are many good forwards in the Thai League but this boy is a Thai with a great future,” Rajevac said in praise of Supachai.
However Supachai said he still had a lot to improve: “No matter how people see me, I still consider myself a kid with more to learn. I have to keep working hard to make sure that I deserve to be part of the team.”
Thailand will play the first leg of the semi-final against Malaysia, the Group A runners-up, on December 1 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur and the second leg at home on December 5. In the other semi-final, Philippines host Vietnam on Sunday.
“Our mission is still not complete. We want to prove to the fans that we are all determined to win. We hope that the fans have been happy with our results so far,” Supachai said.

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