Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang is looking forward to further success after winning the Asean title on Saturday.
Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang, centre, celebrates alongside his players. Pattarapong Chatpattarasill
The team returned to a hero's welcome yesterday after rallying from 3-0 down to lose 3-2 in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final in Kuala Lumpur. However, the Thais lifted the trophy for the first time in 12 years with a 4-3 aggregate win following their 2-0 triumph in the first leg.
Charyl Chappuis (82) and Chanathip Songkrasin (86) scored late goals to stun Malaysia at Bukit Jalil Stadium, which was packed to its 90,000 capacity. Chanathip was later named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
The diminutive midfielder from Thai Premier League side BEC Tero Sasana said he wanted to play in a bigger league in Japan, South Korea or Spain and nominated playing at the World Cup as his ultimate dream.
"My dream is to help Thailand reach the World Cup finals,'' he said.
With the title, Kiatisak became the first man to win the Asean crown both as a player and a coach. Kiatisak won three Asean titles as a player in 1996, 2000 and 2002.
The latest success is Thailand's fourth in the biennial event, which was launched in 1996, matching Singapore's record.
Kiatisak also guided the U23 side to win the SEA Games gold medal last year and reach the semi-finals at the Asian Games this year.
Already one of Thailand's most successful coaches of all time, Kiatisak, 41, is looking forward to more success with both the full national and U23 teams.
Thailand will play in three major international events next year — the 2018 World Cup qualifying, 2016 Olympic qualifying and SEA Games.
Kiatisak is expected to be coach of those teams but has not yet been formally appointed.
"I will discuss plans with the Football Association of Thailand after the New Year,'' said Kiatisak, who began his international coaching career last year.
The World Cup qualifying will begin in June when the SEA Games takes place in Singapore.
Thailand will play in the U23 Asian Championship qualifying round in March, which is also a qualifying round for the 2016 Olympics.
The top team of each of the 10 groups plus the five best second-placed teams will advance to the 2016 U23 Asian Championship in Qatar, where the top three teams will earn berths for the Rio Olympics. Thailand are grouped with North Korea, the Philippines and Cambodia.
"Our aim is to go to the Olympics. It will not be easy as we have to play against North Korea. But if we beat North Korea we will surely advance,'' Kiatisak said.
"We do not underestimate the Philippines and Cambodia. But if we can't beat them, then we should not represent Asia at the Olympics."
As for the SEA Games, Kiatisak said: "Our aim is to retain the title."
Kiatisak's latest achievement has helped boost his father Suriya's health.
Suriya has quit smoking as he promised to do so if his son was successful at the 2014 Suzuki Cup. Suriya had already quit drinking after Kiatisak steered Thailand to win the SEA Games gold medal last December.