Thai Football Team scrapped

[Mentors]

Team to be revamped with younger squad

TOR CHITTINAND

 

In an abrupt about face, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has scrapped the national squad which was announced only last week and says it will name a new, younger squad shortly. This does not affect the team preparing for the Asian Games team which is a separate squad.

 

Last week, the FAT announced a squad of 28 national players including the return of veteran stars Kiatisak 'Zico' Senamuang, Tawan Sripan and Therdsak Chaiman.

 

This squad was to play in next month's King's Cup, the Asean Football Federation Championship (formerly Tiger Cup) and the Asian Cup.

 

President of the FAT, Vijitr Gertkaew, said at the time he was delighted to have Kiatisak and Tawan back saying they had great experience and were still fit enough to play. Kiatisak also said he was happy to be back.

 

But this week the FAT suddenly disbanded the squad saying it included too many veteran players and was not suitable for next year's three big tournaments.

 

Reports that the FAT did not have the budget to pay the squad and coaching staff could not be verified.

 

 

FAT secretary general, Worawi Makudi played down the changes.''It's not a big change, we just want to put the best players together, that's our aim,''

 

''We want to make sure we get the best out of everybody, and one of the reasons for the change is the players' age.''

 

Deputy president of the FAT, Vorawut Rojanapanich said what was needed was a good mixture of experienced and young players.

 

Vorawut also announced the King's Cup would now be cut back to four teams _ Kazakhstan, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

 

Originally it was hoped that eight teams would participate in the December 20-30th tournament, but it made the schedule too tight.

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Sports/10Nov2006_sport33.php