Thailand's Asian Games team coach Worrawoot Srimaka and Football Association of Thailand (FAT) technical chief Witthaya Laohakul can expect a grilling when they face the top officials from the country's governing body of the sport next week.
FAT president Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang yesterday told a local TV channel that he had sought an explanation from both Worrawoot and Witthaya on the Thai team's first-round exit at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
He also tendered an apology to the Thai fans.
The Thai U23 team failed to win a single match in their three outings in Jakarta and could only manage two points in their Group B games after drawing Qatar and Bangladesh with identical 1-1 scorelines. They lost 1-0 to Uzbekistan in their last match.
"I feel very sad like every Thai and I also have a question for the team coach [Worrawoot] that why he didn't call up any over-age players as this is permitted under the tournament rules," said Somyot.
The 26-nation men's football event of the Games is a U23 competition that allows each country to field three overage players. The top two teams of each of the six groups and four best third-placed sides advanced to the knockout stages.
Somyot added: "It is just one of the questions, but I do respect Worrawoot's right to choose whatever and whoever was best for the team. We gave him the authority and made him the coach."
"The FAT has called its technical chief Witthaya Laohakul and Asian Games coach Worrawoot Srimaka to report on the results of the team. We all want to know what happened during the Games and why we exited in the first round.
"And if there are any resignations or departures, these would have to be by mutual consent.
"We [FAT] would like to say sorry to everyone for what happened at the Asian Games."
However, Somyot urged the fans to continue supporting the Thai national teams.
"We want the Thai football fans to give a chance to the national team, especially in the AFF Suzuki Cup this year," the FAT president said.
"We will try to do everything to help the Thai team win the title for the third consecutive time and bring happiness to the Thai people once again.
"Actually, the FAT has its plan for the future. We have a U16 team which is currently training in Spain. We are hoping that they will qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
"The FAT has high hopes of reaching the World Cup finals, so we are focusing on the U16 team training in Spain. It will be a good experience for them.
"For the 2026 World Cup, Fifa will increase the number of teams from 32 to 48 and Asia will have a quota of [about] eight teams nations. This should improve our chances of qualifying for the World Cup finals."
Thai women face China
The Thai women's football team take on Asian powerhouse China in the quarter-finals at the Asian Games tonight.
The match will be played at Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium in Palembang, starting 7.30pm.
The Thais had a great escape as they were lifted by the results in other groups and made it to the quarter-finals of the tournament despite their failure to claim a single point from their two Group A matches.
The Chaba Kaew were beaten 2-0 by Japan and 3-2 by Vietnam as they ended at the bottom of their group.
They were lucky that there were only three teams in their group and the Thais found themselves among the two best third-placed sides at the end of round-robin battles.
Thailand women's team coach Nuengruethai Sathongwien said: "We have reviewed our tactics and made some adjustments to solve defensive problems.
"It won't be an easy game for the team as China are one of the title favourites," said Nuengruethai.
She added that Kanjana Sangngern was given an off day yesterday to help her recover from a "minor injury.
"We will check on her fitness again before the match," the coach said.
Thailand will be without forward Suchawadee Nildhamrong, who returned to the US after the first round in Indonesia.
Also known as Miranda Nild, she is studying at and playing for the University of California, Berkeley.
Thai women's players during a training session.