NEWS ARCHIVES 1998
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NEWS ARCHIVES 1998 |
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Latest News Click here |
Football funds
allocated
THE Football Association of Thailand
(FAT) has set aside a budget for the 1999 campaign from funds supplied by
its major sponsor BEC World, with Bt20 million going towards national team
preparations and Bt10 million to Olympic preparations.
The FAT's programme includes domestic and international tournaments
including the King's Cup, the 20th SEA Games in Brunei and September's World
Youth U-17 tournament in New Zealand.
''Under the terms of our five year contract with BEC World, which we are
presently in our third year of, they provide us with an annual budget of
Bt30 million,'' FAT secretary-general and pre-Olympic team manager Worawi
Makudi.
''We have allocated Bt20 million to the national team and Bt10 million
towards our preparations for the qualifiers for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
''However, our Under-17 team already has a sponsor, so we don't have to
allocate them a budget.''
Former star-striker Piyapong Pew-on will take charge of coaching matters for
the duration of the year.
In addition to allocating budgets, Worawi suggested using the same players
for both the King's Cup and the pre-Olympic matches so the team would gel
through experience.
''It would be useful if the team could be organised in earlier competitions,
before they play in the Olympic qualifiers.
''However, the decision is down to the FAT committee and their president
Vijit [Getkaew]. I think the matter will be settled at the board committee
meeting (tomorrow),'' Worawi added.
Meanwhile, Worawi suggested that the Thailand Indoor Soccer Championship
should be held at the 13th Asian Games venue -- Muang Thong Thani -- instead
of at The Mall Bangkapi because it would be a waste if the venue was not put
to good use now that the Games have finished.
''We met Bangkok Land's [13th Asian Games venue] executive chairman Anant
[Kanchanapas] and discussed using the gymnasium for the Championship.
''We are aiming to use the tournament as a tune-up session for the national
players before they play in March's Asian Indoor Soccer Championship in
Malaysia. We will also be bidding to hold the next championship in
Thailand,'' Worawi said.
KOMKRIT NAPALAI
The Nation
SOCCER 2006 WORLD
CUP: Worawi denies any deal over Withe (23/12/98)
FOOTBALL Association of Thailand
secretary general Worawi Makudi says Peter Withe's appointment as adviser to
the Thai squad was part of the English Football Association's technical
assistance, without any suggestion of quid pro quo.
After receiving calls from the English media overthecontroversysurrounding
Withe, Worawi said on Tuesdaycooperation between the two associations was
open andabove-board. He confirmed Withe's appointment was notbased on a
commitment that the Kingdom would supportEngland's bid for hosting the 2006
World Cup.
''I confirm that the English association has neverrequested any commitment
for such assistance. However,we have to adopt a wait-and-watch approach over
how thesituation develops in England,'' Worawi said.
''Furthermore, the bilateral contract between the FAT andWithe is
short-term. I also spoke with the Englishcontingent [present in Bangkok
during the Asiad] aboutWithe's contract. They confirmed that if the deal was
forless than two years, it should not pose any problems.
''If there is any change within the English FootballAssociation, BEC, FAT's
main sponsor, has already beenasked to take full responsibility for paying
Withe'sestimated PDS 10,000 salary.
''Nonetheless, the FAT and I would like to offer the EnglishFA our heartful
thanks for their technical assistance,'' hesaid.
Withe is a technical adviser to the national soccer team,with the English FA
being responsible for his dailyallowance, while his accommodation and other
expenses is taken care of by the FAT.
BY KOMKRIT NAPALAI
The Nation
Home team rescuedby
English adviser.
THAI team manager Thawatchai Sajjakul, in a rare move,yesterday praised
technical adviser Peter Withe for pulling the hosts back from the brink of
what could have been a
morale-shattering defeat at the hands of Turkmenistan yesterday.
Thailand found themselves precariously placed at 2-0 down to Turkmenistan in
a tune-up for the Asian Games before they bounced back to end the game in a
face-saving 3-3 draw at the Rajamangala National Stadium.
Turkmenistan scored their first goal through a beautiful Andrey Khomin
header just 13 minutes into the match.
The Thai team could not find their rhythm and performed dismally, allowing
their rivals to control the game. Turkmenistan consolidated their lead when
Andrey Zavyalov struck in the 18th minute.
The Thais finally succeeded in plugging their porous defence and their
attacks also gained momentum. They pulled one back when talented Kiatisak
Senamuang fired
home on a magnificent pass from Worawoot Srimaka from a close range.
Turkmenistan led 2-1 at the halftime.
The home team changed their strategy in the second half and used long
passes. In the 55th minute, Thawatchai Damrong-ongtrakul pulled goalkeeper
Evgeniy Naboychenko to the right and passed the ball on to unmarked
Surachai Jaturapattarapong, who had little
trouble in pulling off the tie at 2-2.
Only two minutes later, the Thais surged ahead of their rivals when a
Kiatisak drive was rebounded by Turkmenistan's goalkeeper to Worawoot, who
gladly availed the chance.
However, the Thais' celebrations did not last long as Begenchmukhammet
Kuliyev lost his marker Pattanapong Sripramote to clinch the equaliser for
Turkmenistan.
After the match, Withe, head of the national team staff coaches, said the
Thai players had a good game and despite trailing 0-2, they maintained their
cool.
''We had at least five chances to score in the second half and if we had
converted them into goals, the game would have ended in a big victory for
Thailand. However, I'm delighted with the way they played today,'' Withe
said.
Thawatchai, who is known for his tantrums with national team coaches, said
Withe's experienced rescued the team.
''I admit that Withe read the game exceptionally well. The way he stimulated
the players was also impressive. I think this is a good start for us in
preparation for the Asi an Games,'' Thawatchai said.
''Unlike before, where the game would have been considered as over if we
trailed 0-2, our players fought to the end. Our defence still requires
improvement, but the team's performance on the whole was satisfactory.''
BY KOMKRIT NAPHALAI
The Nation
AFTER a farcical football match in the recent Tiger Cup publicised around the world, the Thai team has to rebuild its image to earn the public's faith again.
The team now has another chance, the 13th Asian Games, and the person who has high hopes of making the Thai team successful is their English coach, Peter Withe.
Thailand finished fourth in the 11th Asian Games in Beijing in 1990, and that has been their best performance so far. And being the hosts for the 13th Asian Games, the Thai eople are expecting their team to do better. However, everyone knows that the team will face tough competition.
Withe is the first Englishman to coach the Thai team. Even though he is only a technical advisor, many believe that he will strengthen the team so that it can take on other strong teams such as South Korea, Japan, Iran and Iraq.
After Withe arrived in the Kingdom two weeks ago, British Ambassador Sir James Hodge hosted a reception party at the embassy for him. Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Vijit Getkaew, secretary-general Worawi Makudi and assistant manager Wirat Chanphanich also attended the party.
Withe told the media: ''It's the first time I've come to Thaland. I don't know much about the Thai team. The Asian football team that I know well is Japan, as I watched them in the World Cup.''
He said the hospitality he had received from everyone had been superb and if it continued he would have a fantastic time in Thailand.
''I've studied the Thai team for only two weeks. I believe they are good players with excellent tactics and skills. What I could do is only give them advice and take away their weak points, for example their slow movement,'' said Withe, who has worked with around 25 managers and 15 teams.
A former professional player at Nottingham Forest, Withe admitted that he had limited time to coach the Thai team and it would be hard to shape it up in time.
He feels that with Thailand playing host the team will face pressure to win, but he plans to see that they don't get affected by the pressure.
''There are strong teams like South Korea and Japan at the games, but football is just a game. If we play well we will get something. Everything could happen if we put in effort and have confidence,'' he said.
''I've learned that Thai footballers start to play when they are 14 or 15, which is quite late, while boys in other developed countries start from the age of six. Thailand should follow suit, as it would help the youth,'' Withe said.
It has always been said that foreign coaches never stay long in Thailand. However, Withe appeared not to be affected by this track record. He said he was here to supervise the team and when a problem cropped up he would deal with it.
Meanwhile Worawi, who brought in Withe to train the Thai team, said the association did not expect much from Withe and with less than a month left before the games the FAT was not looking for miracles.
''We have to think of a long-term advantage. He is an experienced man, and we must give him a chance,'' Worawi said.
''Withe will supervise our national team. We plan to hold a youth training course, and Withe is going to help us set up a training project for the association,'' he added.
BY KOMKRIT NAPALAI
The NationEX-England star Withe lands adviser job To guide national stars for 13th Asiad
Former England and
Aston Villa striker Peter Withe arrived yesterday to take up his role as special adviser
to the Thai national soccer team for the Asian Games.
The 6 foot 4 inches Withe told a large crowd of newsmen who greeted him at Don Muang
airport that he was very happy to be given the opportunity to help the Thai team.
He said he thought it would be a challenging job but one that he would enjoy.
Withe said he had never seen Thailand play so had no idea what system they used. However
he said he was familiar with all the systems, whether it be 3-5-2 or 5-3-2, and that would
not be a problem.
Before he left England, Withe was assistant coach to the Aston Villa junior team.
During his playing days Withe was a prolific goalscorer with Nottingham Forest and Aston
Villa.
He was with Forest when they became league champions in 1978 and after moving to Villa
played 11 times for England between 1981-1985.
Thawatchai back at soccer helm
FORMER
national soccer team manager, Democrat MP Thawatchai Sajjakul, is to make a comeback as
manager of the Bangkok Asian Games soccer squad.
Thawatchai, who is known for his tantrums with former national team coaches -- resulting
in several resignations
and one sacking -- said he was willing to work with English coach Peter Witt, hired by the
association recently.
Witt is scheduled to take over the national team's training this week.
Thawatchai takes over the post from stop-gap manager Vijit Getkaew, the president of the
Football Association of Thailand.
Popularly known in local soccer circles as ''Big Hoy'',Thawatchai said on Wednesday he was
glad to be
associated with the national soccer team again.
''All I am today is because of football,'' he said, adding: ''I am even willing to resign
my seat in Parliament if it is
needed.''
Thawatchai hit fame by masterminding the formation of a Thai ''Dream Team'', that had
varying degrees of success
at the international level and supplied a number of talented players to the senior squad.
It was under his management that Thailand ended their 10-year-old soccer gold medal
drought at the SEA Games when they emerged victorious in 1993 in Singapore.
Two years later, Thailand successfully defended their SEA Games crown at the Chiang Mai
episode.
In 1996, Thailand, still under Thawatchai, first won the Tiger Cup, as the Asean football
championship is known,
and then qualified for the Asian Cup for the first time after salvaging a last-gasp away
draw with Singapore.
However, their Asian Cup debut ended in a nightmare as Thailand were hammered by eventual
winners Saudi
Arabia, Iran and Iraq in the first round of the finals. The debacle resulted in
Thawatchai's resignation.
Thawatchai had a marathon meeting with FAT officials on Wednesday, before the way was
paved way for his return.
Among the things discussed was his appointment as manager of the national boxing squad for
the Asian Games.
Thawatchai said he had already discussed the issue with the Amateur Boxing Association of
Thailand and ''they have no objection to my taking over as manager of the soccer team. I
think I can handle the two jobs at the same time.'' Earlier, there were reports that the
association had approached Pradit Pataraprasith, the deputy communications minister, for
the job Vijit took over when Thirachai Vuttitham quit in disgrace after the farcical Tiger
Cup match involving the Thai and Indonesian national teams last month.
However, Pradit declined the offer citing political commitments.
Another Democrat MP, Pornthep Tejapaiboon, was also tipped for the post, but Thawatchai
was always the frontrunner.
The Thai national team is currently in camp for the Asian Games, and Thawatchai said with
only two months remaining to the Asiad he would need the help of all departments of FAT to
build a strong side.
He said his first task would be to discuss the current state of affairs with the
staff coaches and work out a strategy.
BY HANIF HASSAN
Vittaya offers to quit over game fiasco
VITTAYA Laohakul, head coach of the disgraced Thailand soccer team, feeling
he was falling behind, yesterday
joined the lengthening queue of those offering to resign to ''share responsibility'' for a
shameful performance in a
Tiger Cup first-round game last week.
Meanwhile, Thailand yesterday asked Indonesia to reconsider withdrawing its national
soccer team from the
13th Asian Games in the wake of the farcical Tiger Cup match in Vietnam last week.
Deputy Prime Minister Bhichai Ratakul said he had asked Indonesia's ambassador to convey a
message to
authorities at home that they should send the team for the sake of Asean ''spirit''.
''I said let bygones be bygones, we cannot change anything, so we should show the spirit
of Asean,'' he said.
The Jakarta Post on Saturday quoted National Sports Council deputy chairman Arie Sudewo as
saying that
Indonesia had decided to pull its national soccer team out of the games, to be held here
in December.
The team, which returned empty-handed to a quiet welcome yesterday, expressed regret and
apologised to
local soccer fans for its performance at the Asean tournament in Vietnam.
Defending champions Thailand were the hot favourites to retain their title. They finished
fourth after losing to
Indonesia in the third-place play-off on Saturday.
Skipper Natee Thongsukkaew stood firm by his decision to quit the national team if the
Football Association of Thailand (FAT) decided to get rid of manager Thirachai Vuttitham
and Vittaya at a board meeting tomorrow.
Thirachai and the entire team have already offered to quit the squad.
Crafty play-maker Surachai Jaturapatarapong and striker Worawut Srimakka yesterday
confirmed that the two were ''seriously considering'' pulling out of the national Asian
Games squad. The Asiad takes place in Bangkok at the end of this year.
Vittaya, wearing a downcast look, said: ''It's the end of the road as far as I am
concerned. The board shouldn't bother to deliberate on my resignation, because I am
quitting anyway. I have to share responsibility.
''My only worry is that the team had already started moulding. Now they will have to start
all over again under a new coach. I would request the association to retain the staff
coaches so that some continuity is maintained.
''The biggest problem of this team is that it doesn't have a good striker. I would suggest
to the new coach and manager to bring in Sutee Suksomkid and Bumrung Bunprom to join
Kiertisak Senamuang in the attack.''
Both Sutee and Bumrung are members of the national under-19 team, which is preparing for
next month's Asian youth championship in Chiang Mai. Asked about his future plans,
Vittaya said: ''Football is my
life, and I am not going anywhere. In case the association requires my services to coach
any of the younger squads I'll make myself available.'' FAT technical development
committee chairman Virat Chanpanich has recommended former national-team skipper Amnart
Chalermchavalit and former ''dream-team'' coach Chatchai Paholphet as the two suitable
candidates to take over the reins of the team.
Team deputy manager Kasem Chanyawong said yesterday upon arrival that his team had its
hands tied.
''Deep in our hearts, we wanted our team to reach our ultimate goal. It may sound a lame
excuse, but to play like that was the only option we had.
''We regret and apologise for any anguish our acts in Vietnam might have caused. However,
I am sure that faced with similar conditions anyone would have taken the same route.''
Kasem was referring to security concerns for the team during their stay in Vietnam.
''Our team never had any intention to do bad deeds, but we had no choice and could do
nothing better. We realise and are well aware that the road ahead will be really tough,''
said Kasem.
However, he appealed to FAT not to penalise the players and staff coaches for that
farcical match, claiming that it would hit Thailand's preparations for the Asian
Games. Kasem said he and Thirachai were ready to take
responsibility for what had happened, but ''we don't want to see the team break up because
of the incident. They have served the country for a long time''.
He blamed the team's defeat to Vietnam on widespread condemnation of the squad's
performance against Indonesia. ''The players could not concentrate on the match because
their minds were elsewhere,'' said Kasem.
The Nation
Entire Thai soccerteam offers to quit
HO CHI MINH CITY -- As the Tiger Cup row continues to simmer, the entire Thai national
team has offered to quit to 'pay the price'' for its farcical first-round match against
Indonesia that rocked the international soccer apple-cart.
In an unprecedented move, team captain Natee Thongsukkaew yesterday invited journalists to
a attend a team meeting and to ''speak on behalf of the team'' in Ho Chi Minh City.
Natee and other members of the national team that finished fourth in the Tiger Cup after
losing to Indonesia in a penalty shoot-out in the third-place play-off yesterday said the
players felt ''equally responsible'' for the team's failure at the tournament. Thailand
entered the Tiger Cup as the hot favourite to defend the title they had captured in
Singapore two years ago.
''We
[the players] realise that we failed to deliver at the tournament and have let down the
Thai football fans, especially in the match against Indonesia.''
The bizarre match in Ho Chi Minh City ended with Thailand winning 3-2 after Indonesia put
the ball into their own net just before the final whistle. Neither side had wanted to
travel to Hanoi to meet the Vietnamese hosts in the semifinals.
Thailand suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat in the semifinals at the hands of Vietnam, a
team which had not beaten the reigning SEA Games champions over several decades until
Friday.
Widespread condemnation at home and abroad forced team manager Thirachai Vuthitham, a
Bangkok deputy governor, who did not accompany the team to the Tiger Cup, into offering
his resignation.
Natee said: ''The players have been extremely perturbed by the criticism from the Thai
fans and media.
''The team manager has shown spirit to shoulder the responsibility for the team's
performance and has offered to quit. Individuals should not be blamed: let everyone pay
the price.
''We have heard that the team management faces the axe upon our return to Bangkok. In case
the association decides to sack the team manager, coaches and others, I'll also quit the
national team.''
As Natee finished speaking, other members of the squad present at the meeting raised their
hands, signalling solidarity with their skipper and that they would follow suit.
Thirachai, who arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday evening, spoke with the players
yesterday. There were tears in his eyes as he apologised to them for not travelling with
the team, citing indisposition as his reason for staying behind.
''I have decided to resign to relieve the team of pressure, and there are no political
motives behind my decision,' said Thirachai. ''The players did what they were told by the
team administration.''
Kasem Chanyawong, the deputy manager who looked after the team affairs in Thirachai's
absence, said he was not too confident about his future association with the team.
''I would complete one year with the national team on Oct 28, but I am not sure if I will
last that long,'' said Kasem.
The latest twist has left the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) at a crossroads.
The technical committee of the association has already recommended to the FAT board that
entire panel of national team coaches be replaced.
The FAT board meets on Tuesday to consider Thirachai's resignation and the technical
committee's
recommendation.
With the Bangkok Asian Games exactly three months away, Thailand could be required to
build up a brand new team if the technical committee's recommendation is upheld and the
players stand firm to their words.
Both Thailand and Indonesia were fined the maximum US$40,000 each on Friday by the Asean
Football Federation (AFF) for failing to play to win the match.
Worawi Makudee, secretary general of FAT, indicated that Thailand would seek to have the
fines reduced by an appeals committee comprising Malaysia and two representatives each
from Brunei and Cambodia, the two
AFF members who did not compete at the Tiger Cup.
Further sanctions could come when the Asian Football Confederation meets on Sept 11 in
Kuala Lumpur. Both the Tiger Cup organising committee and the match commissioner will
submit reports on the match.
Meanwhile Indonesia has decided to pull its national soccer team out of the Bangkok Asian
Games after it was disgraced for throwing the game, newspapers said yesterday.
The Nation
On
farces and the noble art of losing soccer games
Did you witness the farcical soccer match between defending champions Thailand and
Indonesia on Monday night?
The match was the final Group A match of the ongoing Tiger Cup, the biennial Southeast
Asian soccer tournament, which is being played inVietnam.
The match was televised live throughout the region. During the game, both sides quickly
made it clear that they didn't want to win -- because the winner of the match would also
take the group, and that
meant facing the host country's team in Wednesday's semifinal before a mad crowd on
Vietnam's National Day.
Of course, no one likes to play the host country at any time, particularly in the advanced
stages of a tournament and even more specifially on a daywhen patriotism is at its zenith.
Furthermore, Vietnamese soccer fans are considered some of the most rabid in the world. A
number of Vietnamese league matches have had to cancelled because of fan violence.
When Vietnam were beaten 4-0 by Thailand in the 1995 SEA Games soccer final angry fans in
Vietnam took to the streets and rioted. So it makes sense that Indonesia and
Thailand were none too eager to meet Vietnam. But that does not excuse what happened
in Monday's match. The sight of two teams allowing each other to score and generally
acting as if competing was the furthest thing from their minds should never happen again
on the soccer pitch.
As I watched the match on television and witnessed the sluggish first half, I started
comparing the fans of soccer and Muay Thai boxing.
I sympathise with soccer fans who pay for tickets hoping to see an entertaining game. Pity
them for turning up to a match where neither side wanted to win! Fans understandably began
to walk out of the stadium.
Who is responsible when a match sinks to this level? Will the Asean Football Fedetation
(AFF) take responsibility for the money spent by fans? Or should the world governing body
of the sport, the International Football Federation ( Fifa) step in?
In Muay Thai, if the boxers fix a bout or even are seen to be fighting without their
utmost effort, the referee can cancel the bout and both boxers are banned.
Boxing fans are thus guaranteed entertainment.Why should not soccer fans receive this
guarantee?
This is a very difficult problem for both the AFF and Fifa. It is not easy, but I think at
least the governing bodies, and especially Fifa, should start thinking of ways to prevent
a repetition of this sort of thing.
I don't feel much shame about what the Thai and Indonesian players did. They did it
because there was a loophole in the rules and regulations of the sport's governing
body, so it is time for Fifa to think more about the rules. However, there was one thing
that I was disappointed in: Thailand was beaten in cleverness by Indonesia.
Thailand won the game 3-2, but in the battle of nerves and cleverness it was Indonesia
that beat Thailand. They put the ball into their own goal at the last minute to force
Thailand to face an uphill task against Vietnam in the semifinal. That meant they won the
battle.
Thailand could have done the same, but unfortunately our players were not clever enough,
especially skipper Voravuth Srimaka, who booted the ball off the field in the last two
minutes of the game, whereas he should have kept the ball under the control of the Thai
team until time was called.
When he booted the ball off the field, it meant that possession went to Indonesia, giving
them the chance to score the own goal and give Thailand a 3-2 victory.
I am not trying to support our players in this shameful thing, but the result of the match
shows the poor state of our players' mentality. When entering a farce, you should at least
be able to
BY PRASERT SRISUEB
The Nation
8TH.ASIANYOUTH UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP
Kuala Lumpur, 11 August 1998 - Defending champions Oman take on Bangladesh in the curtain raiser to the 8th.Asian Youth Under 16 Championship in Doha, Qatar from September 3-17. If anything, the match against Bangladesh should be a breeze for Oman who have been tagged the favorites for the tournament.
Thailand, beaten 1-0 by Oman in the final of the seventh edition two years ago, meet IR Iran in turn in their first match on September 5.P>On the same day, Bahrain who bagged the bronze after beating Japan 4-1 in the third/fourth placing play-off, have Bangladesh as their first hurdle.
The prospect of playing in the World Youth Under 17 championship at New Zealand next year ensures that there will be plenty of action at Doha. The top two teams from the final will secure automatic berths while the third team will play the winner of the Oceania group for a berth in New Zealand.
The tournament has Qatar, Thailand, Iraq, DPR Korea and IR Iran in Group A while Oman, Bahrain, Japan, Korea Republic and Bangladesh keep company in Group B.
Hosts' Qatar, playing with home ground advantage, look set to join the hunt for a World Youth berth and take on IR Iran in their opening match on September 2.
Oman will notch a hattrick in the World Youth tournament, if the team makes it to New Zealand. Oman, played in the 1995 series in Ecuador and also aat Egypt last year.
In 1995, Oman surprised all by making the semis of the tournament and earned the added distinction of having Mohamed Kathiri nominated as the best player of the tournament.
However, at Egypt, the Omani side slipped to a seventh placing and will certainly be looking forward to a good showing in the under 16 tournament at Doha to ensure a repeat of 1995 in New Zealand.
Thailand, who have always done well in youth tournaments finished 14th at Egypt. Thailand will be the other team to watch in Doha.
AFC General Secretary Dato' Peter Velappan said the Asian Youth Under 16 Championship represented a vital part of Asian football's development program. " It is often the most significant experience that our best young talent has of playing in an international arena and therefore provides Asia's best junior players with an idea of what competitive football is all about.
"We expect the under 16 tournament in Doha to be of a high technical standard and should showcase the continents stars of the future. The three places at stake for the World Youth tournament is also a major incentive for the teams to do well,".he added.
For further information please contact the Media Department of Asian Football Confederation at tel:603-2384860 or fax:603.2384862
SECRETARY-GENERAL of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) Worawi Makudi won a seat on the FIFA executive board committee for the second successive time in an election held during the Asian Football Federation (AFC) congress in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The congress, in which 43 AFC member countries took part, was also attended by football world governing body president, Joao Havalange, Joseph Blatter and the UEFA Confederation president Lennart Johansson. Afghanistan and Bhutan were absent from the meeting.
Incumbent candidates Worawi and Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Al Dabal were re-elected to the two Asian seats, gaining 25 and 23 votes, respectively.
Junji Ogura of Japan narrowly missed out with 21 votes.
''I'm so delighted to win such a tough election and having an opportunity to work in the soccer field in FIFA for a second successive time,'' said Worawi.
''From now on I'll do my best for other members and for Thailand,'' added Worawi who revealed that his aim is to establish an international sports centre in Asia.
''We would be happy to see the FIFA soccer centre here in Asia which is my first task to bid and build. I know it's very hard work,'' Worawi said.
General secretary of the Japanese Association Junji Ogura finished last in the polls to choose two of Asia's three representatives for the international football federation's top administrative body.
Ogura got 21 votes.
Ogura's loss was Japan's third in the AFC elections for Asia's representatives to top positions at FIFA.
In 1994, the then JFA vice-president, Tadao Murata, lost to South Korean soccer association chief, Chung Mong-joon, for the FIFA vice-president's post.
In April last year, Saburo Kawabuchi, vice-president and chairman of the Japan League was narrowly defeated by Thailand's Worawi by four votes for an additional position for a second four-year term.
Meanwhile, AFC president Sultan Ahmad Shah, has been returned unopposed to his position for a second four-year term.
For the posts of four vice-presidents, three incumbents, Asad Taqi of Kuwait, Indonesia's Nabon Noor and China's Zhang Jilong were re-elected. India's Priya Ranjan Das Munshi withdrew from the contest. His place was taken by Manilal Fernando of Sri Lanka.
Also returned unopposed to their positions were treasurer Gen Farouk Bouzo from Syria and Chung Mong-joon of South Korea.
Nine countries are represented on the AFC's executive committee: Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Nepal, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.
The Nation, Agencies
CALTEX Oil (Thailand) yesterday announced a contribution of Bt71 million to the Thailand national football league in exchange for rights to three years as the league's title sponsor.
With the deal, the Johnnie Walker Thailand League -- the league's name over the past two years -- will now be renamed the Caltex Premier League. League play begins on May 2 and will end on Oct 3.
The announcement was made at a contract-signing ceremony held at the Siam Intercontinental Hotel involving the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), Caltex and sports-marketing firm IMG Services (Thailand). The league's secondary sponsors, Adidas, Canon, Sanyo and Mazda, were also present.
''The sponsorship of sports activities reinforces our 'Energy in Action' theme,'' said Richard Abrams, managing director of Caltex. ''We believe an association with football in Thailand is particularly timely and appropriate. Recent research tells us that the economic downturn has not diminished the positive Thai spirit and a prudent pursuit of leisure activities.''
The opening ceremony and the opening matches of the Caltex Premier League will take place this Saturday at 4 pm at the National Stadium. After the opening ceremony, Thailand FA Cup champions Sinthana will take on Tero Satsana and 1997 League winners Royal Thai Air Force will play Bangkok Bank.
''To give the Thailand National team every opportunity to prepare for the Asian Games, our sponsorship includes a pre-games international tournament that will be known as the Caltex Cup,'' Abrams said.
The Caltex Premier League consists of 12 teams: Bangkok Bank, Osotspa, Port Authority of Thailand, U-com Rajpracha, Royal Thai Air Force, Royal Thai Army, Krung Thai Bank, BEC Tero Sasana, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Sinthana, Thai Farmers Bank and Telephone Organisation of Thailand (TOT).
FAT secretary-general Worawi Makudi said: ''It is another historical time for Thai football to keep moving our professional league forward and make it bigger. If we cannot run our league, we will never be able to fight with other international teams. So each league team has to run its club professionally to produce good players in order to represent the country in international tournaments.''
BY MATT PONGUDOM
The Nation