Latest news with #ThawatchaiDumrong-ongtrakul
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
Thailand's U23 footballers ready for hostile crowd test, eye final spot
Thailand will take on hosts Indonesia in the semi-finals of the Asean U23 Championship (Mandiri Cup) at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Friday night. Head coach Thawatchai Dumrong-ongtrakul admitted his players did not impress with their performance in the group stage, which saw the team beat Timor Leste 4-0 and draw 0-0 with Myanmar. "We won Group C in the preliminary round, but our form was not that good and there are many things we need to improve and adjust," said Thawatchai during a pre-match press conference on Thursday. "I think the players will perform better in the semi-final against Indonesia. We have come this far in the tournament and we must be ready both mentally and physically to face a good team like Indonesia." He continued, "Indonesia are a good team. We expect a lot of home fans in the stadium for tomorrow's [today's] match and I know the players will be under a lot of pressure but it will be a good experience for all of them. If they come through this match, they will be stronger in future international tournaments," he added. Team captain Seksan Ratree said, "I am very happy that the team qualified for the semi-finals and as the coach said our form is still not good enough and we hope that tomorrow [today] will be a good day for our team." Vietnam and the Philippines will face off in the other semi-final. The match between Thailand and Indonesia will kick off at 8pm and will be live on Thai Rath TV, BG Sports, AIS Play and True Visions Now.
Bangkok Post
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
Thawatchai sets sights on elusive SEA Games football gold
New Thailand U23 national team coach Thawatchai Dumrong-ongtrakul has vowed to end the Kingdom's eight-year barren run at the SEA Games in December this year. Thawatchai was speaking to the media after the national youth team reported for a training camp on Wednesday to prepare for the Asean U23 Championship in Indonesia. Thailand are scheduled to play their first game of the regional event against Timor Leste on July 19 followed by a clash with Myanmar three days later. Thawatchai has replaced Japanese coach Takayuki Nishikaya, whose contract was terminated earlier this month after the Thai U23 side lost all of their five matches during his nine-month reign. "We don't have much time to prepare for the tournament in Indonesia, but we will do our best," said Thawatchai, a former Thailand international. "Our most important assignments this year will be the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in September and the SEA Games in December in Thailand. "Our first task will be to try our best to qualify for the 2026 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia." Thailand will host the Group F games of the September event, taking on Malaysia, Lebanon and Mongolia. Thawatchai added: "We have not won the SEA Games gold medal since 2017 when we last triumphed in Malaysia. We must win the title this time. "Once again, our main opponents at the SEA Games will be Vietnam. Indonesia will also be among the contenders for the gold medal in December." Meanwhile, PTT Public Company Limited has presented a cheque of 25 million baht to the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to support its activities. FAT president Nualphan Lamsam received the first half of the annual sponsorship from PTT Executive Vice President for Corporate Reputation and Social Responsibility Meena Supavivat at a ceremony on Wednesday.
Bangkok Post
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
Coach Thawatchai set sights on elusive SEA Games gold
New Thailand U23 national team coach Thawatchai Dumrong-ongtrakul has vowed to end the Kingdom's eight-year barren run at the SEA Games in December this year. Thawatchai was speaking to the media after the national youth team reported for a training camp on Wednesday to prepare for the Asean U23 Championship in Indonesia. Thailand are scheduled to play their first game of the regional event against Timor Leste on July 19 followed by a clash with Myanmar three days later. Thawatchai has replaced Japanese coach Takayuki Nishikaya, whose contract was terminated earlier this month after the Thai U23 side lost all of their five matches during his nine-month reign. "We don't have much time to prepare for the tournament in Indonesia, but we will do our best," said Thawatchai, a former Thailand international. "Our most important assignments this year will be the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in September and the SEA Games in December in Thailand. "Our first task will be to try our best to qualify for the 2026 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia." Thailand will host the Group F games of the September event, taking on Malaysia, Lebanon and Mongolia. Thawatchai added: "We have not won the SEA Games gold medal since 2017 when we last triumphed in Malaysia. We must win the title this time. "Once again, our main opponents at the SEA Games will be Vietnam. Indonesia will also be among the contenders for the gold medal in December." Meanwhile, PTT Public Company Limited has presented a cheque of 25 million baht to the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to support its activities. FAT president Nualphan Lamsam received the first half of the annual sponsorship from PTT Executive Vice President for Corporate Reputation and Social Responsibility Meena Supavivat at a ceremony on Wednesday.
