Doha: Thailand midfielder Supachok Sarachat insisted that the players are determined to give their best at the Asian Cup, which kicked off in Doha on Friday night with a match between hosts Qatar and Lebanon in Group A.
The War Elephants were the last team to arrive in the Qatari capital for the continental tournament on Thursday night.
Thailand have been drawn in Group F and will play Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan and Oman. The Thais will start off with a match against Kyrgyzstan on Jan 16. They will play Oman on Jan 21 and take on former champions Saudi Arabia four days later.
Attacking midfielder Supachok said the players are focused on giving their best results in the Qatar tournament.
"We are here to give our best performance. Our goal in this tournament is to advance as far as we can. We hope to do well."
Meanwhile midfielder Picha Autra, who replaced Ekanit Panya in the squad, said he was both surprised and happy that he was called up by coach Masatada Ishii.
"I was quite surprised after being called up to join the team. Every player wants to play for the national team and I was very happy after being chosen by the coach," said Picha, who worked with the Japanese coach at Samut Prakan City.
The team also received a message of support from Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol yesterday. "I hope everyone plays with determination and to the best of his ability in the Asian Cup tournament. Although there were several problems in the build-up, I believe everyone will get through it," she said.
"I am sending my best wishes to the team, the manager and the coaching staff. I hope they have a good tournament and go as far as they can.
"The Asian Cup is an important tournament. If Thailand can do well, it will boost our chances in the World Cup qualifying round which will take place in March and June," she added.
Making history
Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita will be the first woman in history to referee at the men's Asian Cup when she takes charge of Australia against India, the Asian Football Confederation said on Friday.
Yamashita, who was a fourth official at the 2022 men's World Cup, is one of five women match officials at the Asian Cup in Qatar.
Yamashita will take the whistle for the Group B opener today, with Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi appointed assistant referees.
The Japanese trio made history in 2022 as the first all-woman refereeing team for a game in the Asian Champions League and in Japan's domestic J-League a year later.
The 37-year-old Yamashita took charge of the opening game of last year's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.