AFF Suzuki Cup Latest

GAMES MOVED SOUTH!!


Group Stage games in Thailand have been moved to the Surakul stadium in Phuket.

One game will be played in neighbouring Phang Nga.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/301108_Sports/30Nov2008_sport22.php

Malaysia ready to walkout?? Games moved to Phuket?? What about me!!

Reports in todays Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.com/291108_Sports/29Nov2008_sport56.php) have suggested that Malaysia are ready to walkout from the AFF Suzuki Cup due to the ongoing Political Crisis in the country. I can't blame them really, but i'm sure it's just a bit of pressure to force AFF into making a decision and moving games to KL

Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi has also stated that the tournement could be moved to Phuket at short notice away from all the political ongoings, but i've also heard the same thing about Chiang Mai.

But come on, with only 1 week left until it all kicks off, some sort of final decision needs to be taken.

Teams need to prepare, previously, teams were given allocated slots to train at certain venues for the tournement. At this moment in time, nobody will be training anywhere, and that's if they manage to get into the country.

I'm sure the held up airports will be freed by the time kick off takes place on 6th December, but are visiting players and fans even going to know where they are going??

I personally enter the country on the 13th December, hopefully by then the situation will be under control, but i'm glad i'm not attending any of the games, as i wouldn't have a cat in hells chance of knowing where the games would be played.

I cannot think for one moment, that anyone has thought of any visiting spectators, the hotels they have booked in advance, the planning they have done to arrive, they have done their bit way in advance, but this whole FAT and AFF decision making is a joke really. I for one know of a few friends that are interested in taking up a semi-final away trip, assuming Thailand make it. Now it wouldn't be fair for them to arrive in Myanmar, Indonesia or Singapore and be messed around, so why do we do it to others?

Someone should stand up and take away the tournement from Thailand now and save something that at this present moment is turning into a mockery and is no longer being a football tournement but just a political headache.

Ok, you can argue it's not FAT who caused the problem, but for the safety of everyone concerned and to put peoples mind's at ease, then simply make the correct choice.

According to the AFF Website, this is the emergency commitee:


President: HE Tengku Tan Sri Dato' Seri Ahmad Rithauddeen
Thailand: Dato' Worawi Makudi
Vice President: Juan Miguel Romualdez
Vice President: Pengiran Matusin Matasan
Vice President: Duong Vu Lam
Vice President: HE Ravy Khek
Hon. Secretary: Dato' Paul Mony Samuel
Timor Leste: Hon. Francisco Kalbuadi

Surely they should be working hard now?

Thailand 2 - 0 TOT FC

Yes, thats right.

Thailand preparing for AFF Suzuki Cup by beating a Telephone Company 2-0.

Next up, a Korat XI. What does this really prepare us for?

Surely, better opposition could be brought in at this stage?

AFF Suzuki Cup Rivals - Laos

Ok, Laos, a side i didn't really expect to see in the final format.

They are a country that develop good youth sides, but never do anything else amongest the regional scene.

This year, they decided to play their youngsters, the guy's who will play in SEA Games next year held in Laos. Basically thrown into the deep end to see what they are made of, and boy they came through, over much more fancied opponents in Philippines.

Laos, are a nation that always withdraws from qualifying stages in FIFA and AFC compeitions, and i suppose this isn't a bad thing really, as you would only expect them to get drubbed.

They are probably the strongest nation out of the pool of small nations in the South East Asian region.

I certainly don't expect to see them qualify or even win this time round, afterall, the is just a build up for next year for them at least. So 3 points is what iu fully expect in this matchup, and the chance for Reid to give fringe players an opportunity and certainly give players any needed rest.

Any side we put out, in theory should get the job done. I don;t expect a huge victory, but any victory really and to see a side start to gel would make me happy, but probably not the rest of the nation.

AFF Suzuki Cup Rivals - Vietnam

Quick guide to our future matchup's - first Vietnam:

This year, it's really been about promoting the youngsters and entering tournements such as the Merdeka and Myanmar Challenge Cup's with age restricted teams. The goal for this is the SEA Games in Laos next year.

The full national side haven't had an awful lot to do this year since getting knocked out of the World Cup qualifiers way back in late 2007 in Round One, some what of a disapointment after doing well in the AFC Asian Cup that hey helped host.

We of course, have just met Vietnam in the T&T Cup, which we drew 2-2. Vietnam of course can be a hard place to go to get a victory, but playing them at home and playing any of our ASEAN rivals at home i feel is 3 points guranteed for us, our at least should be , but we do tend to struggle away.

Last time out as the ASEAN Cup, we beat Vietnam 2-0 at home and drew 0-0 away. This time, we are playing for points on home soil on the 6th December. Anything could happen really in the opening matchp, but i do expect a victory.

Vietnam have only played 6 games this year, all friendlies such as the forementioned T&T Cup and the HCM City Cup. Two tournments that play in Vietnamese rival cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

But their compeition? They don't really go away from the South East Asian region, playing Us, Singapore, Myanmar and Indonesia. There only other challenges have been against Turkmenistan and North Korea, who would go anywhere really.

Recent results:

Indonesia 1 - 0 Vietnam
Vietnam 2 - 3 Myanmar
Vietnam 2 - 3 Turkmenistan
Vietnam 0 - 0 Singapore
Vietnam 0 - 0 North Korea
Vietnam 2 - 2 Thailand

They have one last preperation match before they meet us again, and thats against Singapore, another ASEAN rival.

So, what do i expect on 6th December? Really, nothing but a solid victory and then move on to play Laos.

Whats happened to the King's Cup??

So, last i heard, the King's Cup football tournement was moved from October to January because of other national team commitments, such as the T&T Cup.

Only one nation was confirmed as coming to the event at the time of the press release in early October, tht nation was North Korea.

But since early October, have we heard anything else?? No, not a scobby doo!!


If FAT are serious about football and keeping the tradition of the King's Cup going every year, then they have to start promoting.

Of course now, everyone's eyes are in the AFF Suzuki Cup, but lets not forget our tradition, and if anything else, we at least get competitive games under our belts for the crucial Asian Cup Qualifiers.

So what is the King's Cup really?

First played in 1968 and won by Indonesia, you could say it is a kind of small man's Merdeka tournement and the sides that came to play were generally from around the close region.

Later on in th late 80's, club sides from Europe started to appear followed by European International sides, albeit, mainly youth or B sides.

Notable winners down the years have been Brazil (Under 20's), Sweden and even Latvia. What it gives us more than anything, is a chance to play against different styles and techniques.

But the problem of the Cup? It has neve rhad a fixed date, no one is sure of when it will be played, sometimes late in the year, or very early in the year. No wonder no one will confirm there particiation as they can't just come on a whim.

SO....please FAT if you want to get serious, then please start to promote the games, especially when you are hosting them and make the people feel involved instead of having a last minute stab at getting it right.

The whereabouts of Chanvit Phalajivin

Chanvit Phalajivin is wanted by Vietnam V-League side Dong Thap

Full article here:

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/sports/2008/11/814532/

Thailand Squad against Vietnam

Squad in 2-2 draw (16-11-08)

Goalkeepers: Kittisak Rawangpa (Customs)

Defenders: Suree Sukha, Chollatid Jantakam, Nataporn Phanrit (Muang), Niweat Siriwong (BEC Tero) and Krissadee Prakobkong (Police).

Midfielders: Datsakorn Thonglao (Hong Anh Gia Lai), Phichitpong Chieuchiew (Krung Thai), Surat Sukha

Forwards: Ronnachai Rangsiyo (PEA), Teerathep Winothai (BEC Tero),

Substitute : Teerasil Dangda (Muang Thong), Salaudin Arware (Muang Thong).

T&T Cup Champions!!!

Ok, maybe not much to shout about really, but it's always good to get soem kind of victory under your belt, even if it was a 2-2 draw with hosts Vietnam that clinched this round robin championship.

Something to build on. We certainly need much improvement to win the AFF Suzuki Cup, but confidence will certainly be there now.

T&T Cup Winning Squad

Goalkeepers: Kittisak Rawangpa (Customs) and Kosin Hathairattanakool (Chonburi)

Defenders: Suree Sukha, Chollatid Jantakam, Nataporn Phanrit (Muang), Patiparn Petchpool (PEA), Niweat Siriwong (BEC Tero) and Krissadee Prakobkong (Police).

Midfielders: Datsakorn Thonglao (Hong Anh Gia Lai), Suchao Nutnum (TOT), Phichitpong Chieuchiew (Krung Thai), Surat Sukha, Arthit Suntornpit (Chonburi) and Salaudin Arware (Muang Thong).

Forwards: Pipat Tonkanya, Ronnachai Rangsiyo (PEA), Teerathep Winothai (BEC Tero), Teerasil Dangda (Muang Thong), Sarayuth Chaikamdee (Osotspa) and Issarapong Leelakorn (Khon Kaen).

Reid Names 30 Man Thai Squad

National coach Peter Reid has named 30 players for next month's AFF Suzuki Cup.
Among them are 20 players in the current squad who will play Vietnam in Hanoi in the last match of the T&T Cup on Sunday.

The 10 new players include Sarayuth Chaikamdee, Nattaphong Samana, Sivaluk Tedsungnern, Prasit Taodee, Jetsada Jitsawad, Sutee Suksomkit and Tana Chanabut.

In the AFF Suzuki Cup, or the Asean Cup, to be co-hosted by Thailand and Indonesia, Thailand are in Group B along with Vietnam, Laos and Malaysia.

Thailand under Reid have played two games - a 1-0 win over North Korea in the T&T Cup and a 1-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia in a friendly in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, Thai striker Teerathep Winothai will play for Belgium's second division side K Lierse SK from January 1.

He will receive 200,000 baht a month in a 18-month contract. He could get another two-year deal if he plays well.

T&T Cup Final - Sunday 16th!

T&T Cup final, or at least the group match that will be played as a one off final is back on this Sunday.

So, what can we expect in the matchup against Vietnam?

So far, Peter Reid's charges have played in two cagey matches, against much more fancied opponents in North Korea and Saudi Arabia, who both of high hopes of making the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

In 2 matches, Reid has called upon 17 players so far:

Kittisak Rawangpa
Suree Sukha
Chonlatit Jantakam
Niweat Siriwong
Suchao Nutnum
Krisadee Prakobkong
Teeratep Winothai
Surat Sukha
Isarapong Lilakorn
Patiparn Phetphun
Salahudin Arware
Nataporrn Phanrit
Datsakorn Thonglao
Arthit Sunthornpit
Teerasil Dangda
Kosin Hathairattanakool
Pichitphong Choeichiu

And for his final squad against Vietnam this Sunday, he can also call upon:

Pipat Thonkanya
Anon Sangsanoi
Ronnachai Rangsiyo

All of which are strikers and posibly the best strikers of the season that has just finished. But it would appear that Reid doesn't really love the highly fancied Anon Sangsanoi and has overlooked the Thonkanya and Rangsiyo, whom formed a championship winning partnership in favour of 2nd Level player Isarapong Lilakorn.

Now, the latter lad did score goals last year for Khon Kaen, but can he really lead the line this Sunday? I very much doubt it, and i'm guessing he's one for the future and was only selected as a way of Reid telling us that he is selecting the squad and not FAT.

Weekend Selection

So what can we see this weekend? Formation of 4-4-2 rather than the 4-4-1-1 that has been played recently.

In 2 games, both Keepers have had a run out. Kosin has always been my favorite, but maybe thats just because i know more about him (and the fact he's a good lad in general). But i would be tempted to give Kittisak another run out.

In defence, new Captain Siriwong picks himself along with Sukha, whom i would not have played if it was for testing reasons, but he hasen't played to much, so i would use this as an opportunity to get his fitness up. In there with them, i'm guessing Phanrit and Chonlatit Jantakam will get a look in.

Midfield is generally built around Thonglao, Pichitphong Choeichiu and Suchao Nutnum which is probably as steady as it goes and they do have a fair few caps between them. The final spot will probably go to Arthit Sunthornpit, and Surat Sukha should be suspended for his recent sending off at Saudi.

Up front we go to the, what would seem the heart and soul of the team, with Leesaw (Winothai), but i'd like to see him benched this weekend, after all, he's going to Europe shortly so we got to start living without him. Pipat can do a job, as good as anyone and should be partnered by PEA teammate Ronnachai Rangsiyo or Dangda.

But then, thats all my opinion. Over to you Mr Reid.

My Squad Selection

--------------Kittisak Rawangpa----------------------

--Sukha----Siriwong----Phanrit-----Jantakam -------

--Sunthornpit-----Thonglao------Nutnum------Choeichiu---

-------------Thonkanya------------Rangsiyo

Congratulations Nantawat Thansopa

Natawat Thanspoa has been crowned leading goalscorer of the AFC Champions League for 2008.

A great personal achievement. He scorded 9 goals overall. And how did he do it? Easily of course.

He simply waited for Beijing Guoan and Nam Dinh to show up at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Stadium, Bangkok and smashed in 7 goals.

His other 2 goals came away to Nam Dinh and Beijing.

International Round Up

International Friendly

Saudi Arabia 1 - 0 Thailand

Reid tastes his first defeat with a 1-0 loss to a decent Saudi side which will once again eb hoping to qualify for the World Cup. It's one of these games where you don't think we would get anything out of it apart from a slap on the backside and a wave goodbye with a 3-0 defeat. So it's pleasing to see the result, although i haven't seen any of the play.

Looks like Reid has a side to build upon and just needs that bit of luck in the final 3rd. Up next is Vietnam, in a game we should really win in a match to win the T&T Cup.

AFC Youth Championship

Thailand came 3rd in their group, winning 1 match and losing 2.

Results:

Australia 1 - 0 Thailand
Thailand 3 - 2 Jordan
Uzbekistan 1 - 0 Thailand

As, seems to be the case for most Thai teams, at national and club level. We can more or less hold our own, but we can't quite get the results we want. Going down 1-0 to both Australia and Uzbekistan are not bad results really.

The opening game against Australia, the lads were half a sleep and struggled to adapt to a much stronger Australia team. But they kept on plugging away and nearly knicked a goal at the end of the game.

Now, this is an improvement on many sides from the ASEAN region, as normally we would cave in and get thumped 4 or 5 nil. But hanging in their against the run of play nearly helped us get a point.

In the second match, coach Kawin had a few players back from suspension and played an attacking game, of which put us into a 3-0 lead. But this is another problem of nations in this South East Asian area, they let a 3 goal lead slip to a 10 man Jordan, a game that really should have been put to bed.

In the 3rd game, with the lads pumped up, they came again close to upsetting a much stronger Uzbek side, but having had a player dismissed, we couldn't find that all important win, something that was always going to be hard, especially when going a goal down. We were up against it, and generally speaking, we always are, and sometimes make it to hard for ourselves, but it was a good showing

All over for Young Thai's

Uzbekistan defeated Thailand 1-0 in the AFC Youth Championship, to end our dreams in the group stage. Uzbekistan qualified along with Australia.

It also ends our hopes of world cup glory in Egypt next year.

Youth Championship Result

Thailand defeated Jordan 3-2 which gives them a chance of qualifying for the next Round if they beat Uzbekistan in 2 days time.

Goals from Attapong Nooprom, Yodrak Namueangrak and Anusorn Srichaloung put the lads 3-0 up before a late fightback by 10 man Jordan.

Full report here: http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_168329805.html

TOT FC enter Vietnamese Club Competition

The event will run from November 27 to December 7 at Go Dau Stadium in the southern province of Binh Duong.

Participating teams Binh Duong, Dong Tam, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Matsubara (Brazil), TOT (Thailand), New Radiant (Maldives) and a Korean student team (South Korea) will be divided into two groups.

The tournament will take place at the same time as the AFF Cup so Vietnamese teams will not have national players.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/sports/2008/11/811707/

Youth Championship Result

Thailand lost their opening game to Australia 1-0, the other match in the group also ended 1-0 to Uzbekistan over Jordan.

The senior team had their T&T Cup game cancelled due to heavy rain. The match has now been re-arranged for 16th November.