HIS MAJESTY REMEMBERED
Athletes grateful to the King
>> Things aren’t pretty for the Thais in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and coach Kiatisak Senamuang is hoping that His Majesty the King will once again inspire his men — this time from the heavens — when they face mighty Australians at home on Nov 15.
Thailand have suffered four straight losses in Group B of Asia’s final qualifying stage for Russia 2018, losing to Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq.
The Thais will be hoping to stop the rot when they square off against Australia next month at Rajamangala National Stadium and pick up their first points of the campaign.
Saudi Arabia lead the group table with 10 points, two clear of Australia. Japan are in third place on seven points, one ahead of the UAE. Iraq have three points from their win over the Thais earlier this month.
The top two teams of Group A and Group B earn tickets to Russia. The two third-placed teams meet in a playoff with the winners facing a Concacaf side for another berth.
“I am watching the game” were the simple words by the King from his hospital bed which turned the tide in the favour of the Thai national team and inspired them to their AFF Suzuki Cup triumph in 2014.
Kiatisak, who visited Bangkok’s Grand Palace on Thursday night with his wife and daughter to pay his respect to the King, who passed away on Oct 13 at Siriraj Hospital, is expecting a similar miracle will take place at Rajamangala and resurrect the Thai bid on Nov 15.
Kiatisak said: “I hope that the King will be watching us when we host Australia. I am confident that the team will put in an extra effort for the King.
“The King’s passing has saddened everyone in the country. I have talked to the players and everyone is ready for the match.
“We want three points from the game with Australia. Although, the King has passed away, we will do our duty to make the Thai people happy. We are keen to win the match and dedicate it to the King.”
Kiatisak added: “I served as a national team player for 15 years and then became a coach, so I have been associated with football for over 20 years. To tell the truth, I never knew that the King watched every match that the Thai team played.
“At the AFF Suzuki Cup [final in 2014] where we were 2-0 down to Malaysia in the second leg with the match being played on their turf.
“During half-time, the King told his principal private secretary to send a message to the team. At that time, I was in the locker room with the team. The players were very happy and proud that the King was watching us.
“The King’s message was ‘I am watching the match.’ That was enough for us. We came back and scored two goals in the second half and although we lost 3-2 on the night, it was enough for us to win the title.”
Thailand had secured a 2-0 victory in Bangkok and lifted the trophy with a 4-3 aggregate win.
Kiatisak said he held His Majesty in such an esteem that he could not even look at him when he was granted an audience.
“When I was coach of the national team for the 2014 Asian Games, we had a chance to meet the King with other athletes. I wasn’t brave enough to look at the King directly. I just had a fleeting glimpse of him,” he said.
“The King told us to have good spirit and sportsmanship and not to focus too much on results as friendship is the most important thing. That was a great lesson for all of us.”