Chanathip joins training for qualifiers

Chanathip joins training for qualifiers

Thailand playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin. PR
Thailand playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin. PR

Crafty midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin yesterday joined the Thai national team's training camp for their last two World Cup qualifiers.

Thailand are scheduled to take on Iraq on Thursday at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium before travelling to Melbourne to face Australia on Sept 5.

Both Thailand and Iraq are out of contention for berths at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. Thailand are bottom of the six-team Group B with two points from eight matches.

This will be the first time for Chanathip, who plays for Consadole Sapporo in the Japanese league, to don the national colours under Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac.

After attending the morning training session at Kiarti Thanee Country Club, the 23-year-old playmaker said: "I was given a warm welcome. Most of the players are the same and it feels good to be back in the national team.

"It was only my first training session with the team, and I felt like a freshie.

"I am also keen to learn from the new coach. I have watched the Thai national team's recent matches and I think they played very well in every position.

"I cheered them on when I was in Japan, especially during the King's Cup tournament [last month]. They did well to win the title.

"I hope that Thai football fans will come and support us, acting as the 12th player of our team. For me, I am hungry to help the team again."

Meanwhile, Police Tero goalkeeper Kampol Pathomattakul has been called up to join the national team, replacing captain Kawin Thamsatchanan, who has been forced to pull out of the squad because of a lack of fitness.

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