Suphanat eyes winning start

Suphanat eyes winning start

Thailand U23 striker Suphanat Mueanta.
Thailand U23 striker Suphanat Mueanta.

Talented teenage striker Suphanat Mueanta, who returned to full training on Monday, is hoping to help hosts Thailand pick up three points in their opening AFC U23 Championship game against Bahrain on Wednesday.

The tournament, which offers three places to the top teams in this year's Tokyo Olympics, kicks off on Wednesday at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium and will run until Jan 26.

Matches will also be staged in the Thai cities of Pathum Thani, Buri Ram and Songkhla, but all the home team's group stage games will be played in Bangkok.

The Thais have been drawn in Group A which also includes Australia and former champions Iraq. The top two teams of each group reach the quarter-finals.

Suphanat, 17, was on the injury list since Thailand's 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia in a warm-up game on Friday.

The Buriram United striker is now ready to take part in the match against Bahrain, which will be televised live by Channel 7 at 8.15pm.

Suphanat told the media on Monday that he was happy to be back in training with the national team.

"I think I am fit and ready for the tournament after having a two-day rest. My injury is getting better as there is only a small wound which should heal completely soon," said the teenage star.

"After two warm-up matches, I think coach [Akira Nishino] should have a clear picture about the readiness of the players and have a plan ready for our first game with Bahrain.

"As for the team, we are ready to put in our best. This is a home event so we need to perform well and impress the fans. It is very important for us to get off to a good start."

Nishino said: "We have seen the 23 players in action in the two warm-up games. I think they are ready for the first game.

"Earlier, we were worried about two injured players, Suphanat and Airfan [Doloh]. Suphanat is back in training with the team while Airfan was allowed to train separately as he still had some pain.

"Bahrain recently played in the Dubai Cup and we have studied their tactics from that event."

Airfan was also injured during the warm-up game with Saudi Arabia.

He hopes to be fit in time and "available for selection" for tomorrow's opener against Bahrain.

Thailand beat Customs United 2-0 in their final tune-up on Sunday.

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