Thailand to play English teams

TOR CHITTINAND - bangkokpost.com

Thailand will play two warm-up matches against a Championship side and a League One team during their training in Manchester, Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Worawi Makudi said yesterday.

The two-week training at Manchester City is part of Thailand's preparations for the World Cup qualification.

Worawi said the Thai team would fly to England next Friday or Saturday depending on the availability of air tickets. City coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will supervise the training and the club will provide everything Thailand need during their stay, Worawi said.

City doctors will help look after injured Thais such as Kiatprawut Saiwaew, Suree Sukha and Tawan Sripan. Kiatprawut and Suree are on City's books. The Thais will have two warm-up games against a Champioship team and a League One side who are yet to be named.

Thailand are grouped with Japan, Oman and Bahrain in Asia's last 20 teams of qualification for the 2010 World Cup. Thailand will begin their campaign against Japan in Tokyo on January 6.
The top two teams in each of the five group advancing to the final qualifying stage. Four teams will represent Asian in South Africa and a fifth side will take on Oceania champions in a play-off for another slot.