Thailand coach Milovan Rajevac is trying to motivate his under-strength squad by telling them to flash their talents and skills to the world during this week's King's Cup and earn lucrative contracts in bigger leagues.
The prestigious annual tournament kicks off at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium on Thursday.
Two-time defending champions Thailand begin their campaign against mighty Gabon, who are led by Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Favourites Slovakia, who could be without their star player Marek Hamsik due to injury, will take on the United Arab Emirates in the tournament opener on the same day.
The winners of both matches will clash in the final on Sunday, while the losing sides will battle it out for the third place on the same day.
In a blow to the home team, Adisorn Promrak (Muang Thong United), Manuel Tom Bihr (Bangkok United) and Naruebodin Weerawatnodom (Buriram United) pulled out of the national squad because of injuries.
Rajevac has called up Nitipong Selanont (Port), Mika Chunuansee (Bangkok United) and Philip Roller (Ratchaburi) to replace the injured trio.
A total of 14 players reported for training at the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) head office yesterday while four foreign-based Thai stars and an equal number of Buriram United players will join the team later.
Rajevac on Monday admitted that the War Elephants face a tough task in defending the crown, but added that he expected the players to put up a good fight.
"There are some players who played in Thai League 1 yesterday [Sunday] so they will join the team later," said the Serbian coach.
"The King's Cup tournament is the first international tournament for us this year. We must try to defend the title with all we have and it is not going to be an easy task.
"We will play against some world-class teams in this competition. It is a good chance for us to show to the world how strong we [Thailand] are.
"Right now, we have four players playing abroad -- Kawin Thamsatchanan [Belgium], Chanathip Songkrasin, Theerathon Bunmathan and Teerasil Dangda [Japan].
"I want the players to perform well and get noticed so that in the future we can have more Thai players go out and play abroad. It is for the sake of their own future."
Meanwhile, FAT deputy secretary-general Patit Supapong said that the event is likely to be televised live to the UAE and some countries in Europe and Africa.
"We have been informed that the tournament will be broadcast live in more than 10 countries," said Patit.
"This is really a great opportunity for the Thai players to showcase their talent. You never know when a player might become a foreign club's subject of interest."
It was reported in the local media yesterday that Slovakia star Hamsik is likely to pull out of the country's King's Cup team. The Napoli captain limped off with a thigh injury after just 20 minutes during the Serie A game against Genoa on Sunday.
However, Patit said the FAT has not been officially informed about Hamsik's decision to withdraw from the Slovakia team for the King's Cup.
"It will be a pity if Hamsik has to pull out. We will wait and see as the team arrives in Bangkok on Tuesday [today]," said Patit.
Gabon and Slovakia arrive in Bangkok on Tuesday while the UAE winged in on Monday.