Singapore's national team yesterday paid tributes to its former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew who passed away on Monday.
The team made their first training session in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday ahead of its friendly with Thailand at the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium tomorrow.
The team observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect to Lee before the evening's training session in the northeastern province.
Captain Shahril Ishak summed up the sombre mood in the camp.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. A visionary leader, he built a beautiful and prosperous country which we are proud to call our own. His contributions cannot be measured in words and we will miss him deeply," he said.
Tomorrow's match is to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Ishak also captained the Singapore side which lost 2-1 to Thailand in the group stage of last year's AFF Suzuki Cup. Thailand went on to lift the title.
Thailand will also play Cameroon in another friendly in Bangkok on March 30.
Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang said striker Teerasil Dangda and defender Theerathon Bunmathan, who are returning to the national side, will start against Singapore and Cameroon.
Buriram United star Theerathon, who missed last year's Asian Games and Suzuki Cup, has been appointed captain.
Teerasil had an unsuccessful spell at Spanish club Almeria and returned to Thailand earlier this year.
Five newcomers Korawit Namwiset, Rungrat Poomjanthuk, Vittaya Mudlum, Ekachai Sumre and Anuwat Noichuen will also get chances to play, Kiatisak said.
"We want to see if they are good enough for this level or not," Kiatisak said.
Meanwhile, Thailand will face North Korea, Cambodia and the Philippines at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium in Group G of the qualifying round for the 2016 AFC U23 Championship finals.
The top team of each of the 10 qualifying groups plus five best second-place teams will join hosts Qatar at the finals to be held in January.
The top three teams at the finals will represent Asia at the 2016 Olympics.
Kiatisak, who is also coach of the U23 side, said Thailand should get six points from wins against the Philippines and Cambodia before taking on North Korea in what is expected to be the group decider.