"Coach Wang" reveals two problems behind Thailand U23's loss to South Korea, satisfied but not fully, seeks to fix before Asian Games.
On 6 June 2026, Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul, head coach of the Thailand U23 national football team, spoke after the special friendly match against South Korea U23.
Thailand U23 lost 2-3 to South Korea despite taking the lead twice in the first half. Coach Wang Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul described the game as "a good match. We understood facing South Korea’s physique, size, and strength, so everyone tried to use teamwork and agility against them, including coordination and attacking behind the defensive line."
"The positive was scoring goals despite the opponent’s tall and strong players, which added to our strengths."
"We worked on set pieces, both defense and offense, since previously we conceded many from them. Credit to both attack and defense—now we still concede from direct free kicks, but for corners, we managed to mark their strong players."
"(The two problems to fix) concern our physical condition and stamina, which are problematic. The quick transition from defense to attack was intercepted too often and needs improvement."
"At the Asian level, similar to South Korea, the team must move and react faster. In open play, we had chances and coordinated near the line multiple times, effectively pressuring South Korea."
"The difference from the first game was the players. The starting eleven against South Korea was completely different from that versus Kyrgyzstan. The players today have been in camp from the start and understand the team structure better."
"Am I satisfied? To some extent, yes, it’s acceptable for Asian competition. At least the players showed fighting spirit. Now, it’s about refining the team to be stronger before the Asian Games. We’ve played like this since the first tournament."
"I trust every player’s dedication. Those who get a chance must do their best. At under-23 level, the key is maintaining both mental and physical condition. I want them to preserve this while improving tactics."
"Next game is against UAE. We will monitor injuries and work to recover players quickly. The match was physically intense, causing fatigue. Recovery is crucial, and we need to balance the team. We also hope for good results and to give several players the opportunity to showcase their skills, as this is the final camp to decide who is best suited for the Asian Games."
Thailand U23 will face UAE at Pathum Thani Stadium on 9 June 2026 at 18:00. Match results will be reported via Facebook: FA Thailand and the Thailand national football team channels.