Worrawoot named as coach of Thai U23 team

Worrawoot named as coach of Thai U23 team

Thailand U23 coach Worrawoot Srimaka. PR
Thailand U23 coach Worrawoot Srimaka. PR

Newly-appointed Thailand manager Nualphan Lamsam named Worrawoot Srimaka as the coach of the U23 side yesterday.

Worrawoot will be assisted by Choketawee Promrut as they attempt to guide the team to the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup finals.

Thailand will play in the qualifying round in Mongolia in October.

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) appointed Nualphan as manager of the national men's team and the U23 side on Monday.

"Both Yong [Worrawoot] and Choke are coaches with knowledge, understanding and ability and have achieved success on the international stage. So they are suitable for the job," said Nualphan, a former manager of the national women's team.

Worrawoot, who guided the U23 team to win the gold medal at the 2017 SEA Games, said he is ready to start the job and vowed to give his all.

"It's an honour," said the 49-year-old, who has coached several clubs including Chonburi, Suphanburi and Songkhla.

"There will surely be pressure. My aim is to guide the team to advance [to the AFC U23 Asian Cup finals]."

Thailand will face Mongolia, Laos and Malaysia in the group stage of the qualifying event.

Choketawee steered the U23 team to win the SEA Games title in 2015.

He previously has been assistant coach of the senior national team and coach of Thai League 1 side Port where Nualphan is the chairwoman.

Nualphan, 55, has said one of her immediate targets is to steer Thailand to win back the No.1 status in Southeast Asian football by claiming the AFF Suzuki Cup later this year.

Nualphan, affectionately called Madam Pang by the Thai media and fans, has also been assigned by the FAT to select a coach for the national men's team.

Her appointment came after the War Elephants were eliminated in the qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup leading to the sacking of coach Akira Nishino.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT