Former Thailand forward Boonpleak dies at age 57

Former Thailand forward Boonpleak dies at age 57

Former Thailand footballer Boonpleak Noonoi has died at the age of 57.
Former Thailand footballer Boonpleak Noonoi has died at the age of 57.

Former Thailand international Boonpleak Noonoi passed away on Thursday at the age of 57 because of kidney failure.

Boonpleak, a former Thailand striker, started his playing career with TOT and gained fame while representing Trat province in the National Games. He played for many Thai clubs, including Police, in domestic tournaments.

He was a member of the Thai squad which created history at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing by becoming the first national football team to reach the semi-finals of the quadrennial tournament under coach Carlos Roberto Carvalho.

Boonpleak was head coach of Surat Thani in 2011.

The former Thailand striker, who died yesterday of kidney failure in a Trang hospital, was also suffering from diabetes and cardiomegaly.

His final rites and cremation will take place in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Gama praises his players

Buriram head coach Alexandre Gama praised his players after their 9-8 victory over defending champions Port in a penalty shoot-out in the last 16 stage of the FA Cup on Wednesday night.

Port and Buriram were locked in a 0-0 stalemate by the end of 120 minutes.

Gama admitted that it was a tough game for both teams.

"It was an uncomfortable match from both teams," said Gama. "We fought a tactical battle in the first half but then injuries forced us to change our style in the second.

"I had confidence in my boys in the shoot-out because we had trained for it well before the match and I am happy that my players did well in the penalty contest.

"It doesn't matter who we face in the quarter-finals -- it will be another tough game and we will be ready for it."

Eight teams to make the FA Cup quarter-finals are Muangkan United, Chiang Rai United, Ratchaburi, True Bangkok United, Trat, Buriram, Chonburi and SCG Muang Thong United.

The quarter-finals will be played on April 3, the semi-finals on April 7 and the final four days later.

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