Coach Sakol Kliangsarert, head coach of Montongwittaya School, believes 7-a-side football is a foundational platform for developing Thai players to the national team.
On 23 Jan 2026 GMT+7, from the perspective of Channachon Chidchob, vice president of Buriram United Football Club, who said in an interview about 7-a-side football competitions, “7-a-side football cannot progress further because its style of play and tactics differ from 11-a-side football.”
Recently, Coach Sakol Kliangsarert, head coach of Montongwittaya School, offered a different viewpoint, seeing that
"7-a-side football is about nurturing talent from the grassroots because anyone can participate. Without this, we would not have new athletes who could potentially support the national level in the future."
"I sincerely ask people not to argue over minor details; such disputes are not sustainable. I want development from the grassroots because that will produce players to send to the national team in the future. Therefore, organizing 7-a-side football is already sufficient, although some may disagree."
"I have been here for no less than 30 years, producing national team footballers such as Teerasil, Pheupimai, and Sasalak Haiprakon, who all came through this path. Some may not understand, but I invite everyone to help. There is nothing that is absolutely perfect."
"Now it depends on how we can get these kids into the national team process. I want the national team to recognize that 7-a-side football still has positive qualities."
"We do not intend to compete against the national team; rather, we aim to develop kids to be sent to the national team, which is ultimately up to the coaches to decide."