FAT boss says J-League stint good for Chanathip

Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompunmuang has wished Thailand playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin a successful career with J-League side Consodole Sapporo.

Chanathip, who missed Thailand's World Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday due to an injury, called on the FAT president at the associations' headquarters yesterday to seek his blessings before leaving for Japan.

Thai League 1 leaders SCG Muang Thong United have loaned Chanathip to Sapporo for a period of 18 months.

Somyot said: "I wish Chanathip a safe trip to Japan and all the success in his career there.

"I believe it will be a great experience for him because J-League has many good players. The most important thing for him to learn will be the attitude and commitment of the Japanese players.

"I hope he will stay fit and become a good role model for the young Thai players. His presence in the J-League can inspire other talented Thai players to seek stardom in bigger leagues.

"I also hope that in the future Chanathip will become an even more indispensable for the national team."

Chanathip said: "My injury now is getting better, but I am not 100 percent yet. I took some time off and missed the match against the UAE as I needed to work with a physiotherapist.

"I wanted to make myself ready because seeking treatment in Japan soon after arriving at the club wouldn't have helped my career there.

"I will be facing a lot of challenges there, including the language, but the most important task will be to earn the chance to play.

"I have to keep improving and I believe that I can achieve that goal in Japan as the standard of football there is much higher than in Thailand.

"I am the first Thai player to play in the J-League and I hope to be a big success."

SIROD SECURES LUCKY 99

As Muang Thong United prepared to unveil their new signings today, their new hitman Sirod Chatthong has succeeded in avoiding an unlucky charm.

Sirod had been paying too much attention to club legend that its No.9 shirt brings bad luck to the player donning it.

The Thailand national team striker has talked his new club into giving him the jersey No.99 instead, according to media reports.

Apart from Sirod, the five other players to be introduced as Muang Thong United's new signings today are Charyl Chappuis, Thossawat Limwannasatien, Heberty Fernandes, Prakit Deeprom and Leandro Assumpcao.