"Gold Medal" Within Reach!! "Gold Medal" Within Reach!!
The Thai national football team made an exciting start to the men's football tournament at the SEA Games.
They decisively defeated Timor-Leste 6-1.
This is likely to improve the overall atmosphere around Thai football considerably.
Seeing "Madam Pang" Nualphan Lamsam's dedication to the SEA Games national team
as she supports them both during training and matches on the sidelines,
and immediately rewarding the Thai players with a half-million baht bonus after the game,
confirms that the current Thai Football Association
is focused on reclaiming the "gold medal" they have awaited for nearly nine years.
Just like the women's football and both men's and women's futsal teams,
since Thailand is hosting, they aim to sweep all four gold medals.
That would be absolutely perfect.
Credit must be given to "Coach Wang" Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul for leading the SEA Games national team.
He may not be the most celebrated or beloved coach among fans,
but for the mission to win the SEA Games championship this time,
I believe "Coach Wang" is the most suitable candidate.
Besides his skills and extensive club management experience, which is second to none in the field,
connections are the most crucial factor.
Remember, SEA Games football does not fall on FIFA international dates,
so clubs may refuse to release players for national duty.
Therefore, a coach for this role must have the ability to strategically negotiate cooperation with all clubs effectively.
This ensures they secure the most capable players needed for the team.
It must also avoid conflict with the clubs, some of which have important league and cup matches during this period.
This challenging team management task makes me unable to imagine what would happen
if we stubbornly kept using the "Japan Way" coach until now.
In any case, the strong start in the SEA Games opening match
clearly shows that "Madam Pang" and the technical staff of the association made the right decision
in selecting the national team coach at this time.
We hope the pursuit of gold medals at this ASEAN sports event proceeds without setbacks.
Key players that "Coach Wang" must release back to their clubs for this week's Thai League include
Iklas Sanran (PT Prachuap FC), Kakhana Kamyok (Muangthong United), and Sitta Boonla (Port FC).
Playmaker Seksan Ratri from Rayong FC will be released starting from the next match against Singapore,
while versatile right wing-back Waris Chuthong of BG Pathum United will join in the semifinals.
With the current squad, assuming no one suffers injury,
we can confidently say the SEA Games gold medal on home soil
is likely well within reach!!!
B. Bangpakong
joggingboy_be@yahoo.com