Great potential in Thai football, says Makudi

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BANGKOK: Thailand is determined and working towards qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in 2018, according to Football Association of Thailand (FAT) President Dato' Worawi Makudi.

Makudi expressed his confidence that Thailand's long-awaited appearance at the FIFA World Cup might come soon.

"I think our prospects look promising as there are several young players who are showing great talent, are coming out of the ranks now,” said Makudi.

"Participation in the FIFA World Cup is the dream of every team. FAT hopes after the next two FIFA World Cups, Thailand's dream will come true."

Worawi expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Thai national team, especially after the invaluable exposure in the AFC Asian Cup 2007™.

Despite their failure to qualify for the knockout stage, Thailand showed enough mettle in their three games to prove that Thai football is developing and that they can hold their own in the international arena.

"The team showed its credentials and enormous potential in the AFC Asian Cup 2007™. And I am confident that the team has what it takes to go far in the future,” said Makudi.

The FAT chief said Thai football was heading towards the right direction and the recent interest shown by English Premier League giants Manchester City in three Thai internationals - Suree Sukha, Teerasil Daengda and Kiatprawut Saiweao – was proof of this.

"Sven Goran Eriksson (Manchester City manager) was impressed by all three of them, and this is a clear indication that Thai players have the ability to perform at the highest stage," said Makudi.

Worawi praised the national coach Chanvit Phalajivin, who snubbed a lucrative move to coach V-League newcomers Dong Thap last year, and promised that he could stay in the team, "as long as he wants".

"The past is the past. I don't have any lingering doubts about his ability. He managed to deliver, given the criticism he has received all this while."

"Chanvit has a bright vision and an obsession to lead Thailand back to the top ten teams in Asia, and hopefully, to the FIFA World Cup in 11 years time."

To help beef up the team’s fitness, FAT has hired well known German fitness coach Gunter Lange.

"Fitness and speed are the team's main weakness. Although we look strong in the South-East Asian region, we are still a step behind Asian giants such as Japan and Saudi Arabia, not to mention the likes of Europe, Africa and South America, in term of speed, power and physical strength," Worawi said.

"Lange is coming here to help the team improve in these areas. With his help, I am optimistic and look forward to see the changes in the team."

Worawi said there had been a huge surge in spectator attendances in local league matches after the AFC Asian Cup™.

"The average stadium capacity of stadiums in Thailand is around 8000 seats, and there are more than 5000 fans coming to the stadium to support their favourite teams on every match day, compared to a mere 2000 in the old days."

Worawi opined that this was the right time to launch AFC’s Vision Thailand Project.

"I am very much impressed by this project. We are looking forward to improve further and develop football in Thailand under the AFC’s Vision Asia project."