Coach Wang opens up ahead of the Asian Championship.
After the Thailand U23 team flew to compete in the final round of the AFC U23 Championship in Saudi Arabia,
this is a major tournament, the first of the “Year of the Horse 2026,” and a tough continental contest that the Football Association of Thailand must prioritize.
If they truly want to develop the national team and advance Thailand’s standing on the Asian stage,
many club-related issues arise, with clubs insisting on retaining key players as vital assets for the second half of their season.
Importantly, this AFC tournament does not occur during a FIFA international window,
making it nearly impossible for the coaching staff to call up their main players to represent the country as they wish.
Ultimately, the 23-player roster for the Thailand U23 team competing in Asia is the best possible lineup available, as seen now.
Fans have joked, “How is it possible? Thailand U23 used a full-strength squad for the qualifiers but an incomplete squad for the finals.”
Before departing for Saudi Arabia, I had the opportunity to interview Coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul, the head coach of the young War Elephants, about the team’s readiness and goals.
Coach Wang admitted he regrets not being able to take the full SEA Games squad to this Asian Championship.
This tournament would have been an important stage to strengthen our new generation of players.
It measures precisely where the Thai team currently stands on the Asian level.
However, he understands the clubs’ need to utilize young players to build results for the crucial second half of the season.
He is still pleased that during the SEA Games, all clubs cooperated by releasing the players needed for the national team,
even though some players had to alternate playing for their clubs as well.
Regarding the loss to Vietnam in the final that cost Thailand the gold medal at home,
he acknowledged that the Vietnamese players were fully prepared and clearly fitter than us.
In that match, we conceded an equalizer early in the second half, which shifted momentum to the Vietnamese team for the remainder of the game, and we could not match their fitness.
Due to various conditions preventing us from calling up several key SEA Games players, the Asian Championship squad had to bring in new players to reinforce the team.
Experience, teamwork, and fluidity had to be rebuilt almost entirely.
He and the coaching staff have worked hard to prepare the team during this period.
All 23 players are physically fit with no injuries,
and everyone is determined and eager to fully compete in this Asian tournament.
Although many are young rising stars with limited international experience,
he has encouraged them to be confident and always remember that being called to serve the country means each player has the skill and potential to be a starter.
Each one is ready to perform at a high level.
His initial goal is to advance to the knockout stage among the top eight teams,
even though the three group-stage matches will be challenging.
Thailand U23’s match schedule in Group D is as follows:
8 January 2026: Thailand vs. Australia, 18:30 Thai time, at Al Shabab Club Stadium.
11 January 2026: Thailand vs. Iraq, 21:00 Thai time, at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City Stadium.
14 January 2026: Thailand vs. China, 18:30 Thai time, at Al Shabab Club Stadium.
All matches will be broadcast live on the BG Sport YouTube channel for Thai fans to watch fully.
At the end, Coach Wang revealed that his and the staff’s contracts will end after this Asian Championship, depending on the team’s performance.
Personally, he hopes to continue coaching this national team through to the Asian Games.
He is confident in the potential and skills of this generation, many of whom are ready to succeed the senior team players.
These players include Yotsakorn Burapha, Kakhana Kamyok, Sek San Ratri, Thanakrit Chotmuangpak, Iklas Sanharon, Sitta Bunla, Chonphat Buapan, Waris Chuthong, and Chanon Thamma,
as well as Vision Inaram, an 18-year-old rising star from Bangkok Christian College and True Bangkok United.
Combined with Suphanat Mueanta, Supachok Sarachat, Teerasil Pyemai, Jude Bell, Nicholas Mickelson, Jonathan Khemdee, and even Erawan Ganier,
he believes these players form the new generation of War Elephants with hopeful prospects for the 2030 World Cup qualifiers.
However, all of this depends on the cooperation and unity of all domestic clubs,
who must be willing to turn the dream of the Thai people into reality,
successfully taking Thai football to the World Cup,
in this lifetime or not!
- Bee Bangpakong -