"Coach Wang" Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul boldly declares in Saudi Arabia! Thailand U23 aims to break into Asia's top 8! Confident the new players have special qualities.
On 7 January 2026 at 15:30 Thailand time, at the press conference room of Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City Stadium, Saudi Arabia, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) held a press conference before the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup group stage matches in Group D.
The press conference featured the four nations in Group D: Iraq, Australia, Thailand, and China. Thailand U23 sent Coach Wang Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul, head coach, and captain Pichitchai Sierkratok to attend.
Coach Wang said, "No matter where the team travels to compete, the key is arriving early so players can adjust, especially to the food, since many have never been here before. Getting familiar with the environment helps everyone perform at their best when the competition starts."
"From this tournament and past ones, we might adjust some players. Many have been in camp with us for months. Before this tournament, we've had continuous camps, preparing for Asian Championship qualifiers, FIFA days, SEA Games, and now this Asian Championship. The players have trained together, adapting well to rotations. Many newcomers were called up because they have outstanding potential."
"Our initial goal is to reach the quarterfinals. Facing Australia, Iraq, and China, we must perform our best to achieve this target."
Thailand U23 will hold one more training session to prepare for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, with the following schedule:
8 January 2026
Australia vs. Thailand
18:30 Thailand time
At Al Shabab Club Stadium
11 January 2026
Thailand vs. Iraq
21:00 Thailand time
At Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City Stadium
14 January 2026
Thailand vs. China
18:30 Thailand time
At Al Shabab Club Stadium
All matches will be broadcast live on YouTube: BG Sports.
This AFC U23 Asian Cup does not directly qualify teams for the next tournaments but affects the seeding for the 2028 AFC U23 qualifiers, which will determine the representatives for the men's football event at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.
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