Theerathon ready for WC qualifiers
SCG Muang Thong United defender Theerathon Bunmathan’s injury is not serious and he should be fit for Thailand’s World Cup qualifiers later this month, club doctor Pornthep Mamanee said yesterday.
Theerathon got injured during Muang Thong’s AFC Champions League match at South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai on Tuesday.
He was substituted after just 10 minutes following a tackle by Ulsan captain Ivan Kovacec. The match ended 0-0.
Muang Thong arrived in Bangkok yesterday and Theerathon had a check-up at Bangkok Hospital.
“Theerathon’s injury is not very serious. He has a muscle contusion and not a broken bone. He needs a rest and should be able to resume training in the next few days,’’ Dr Pornthep said after the check-up.
Thailand captain Theerathon said: “I have talked to [Thailand] coach Zico [Kiatisak Senamuang] and I think this is not a problem. I will join the national team’s training camp tomorrow. I am ready to help the national team.”
Kiatisak said: “Of course this is good news. Theerathon is strong and should be fit for the upcoming matches. Even if he is not fully fit, he is still determined to help the team.”
Thailand will host Saudi Arabia on March 23 and travel to Japan on March 28 in Group B of Asia’s final qualifying round for the 2018 World Cup.
The Thais are bottom of the group after five games with losses to Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq and a draw with Australia.
The top two teams of Group A and Group B earn tickets to Russia 2018. The two third-place teams meet in a play-off with the winners facing a Concacaf side for another spot.
Meanwhile, the Asian Cup qualifier between Malaysia and North Korea, which was postponed last week due to strained relations between the countries, has been rescheduled to June 8, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said yesterday.
Malaysia’s Football Association had asked for the game to be moved away from Pyongyang under pressure from its government following the recent breakdown in relations.
AFC secretary-general Windsor John told a media conference in Kuala Lumpur that the match had been rescheduled and set a deadline of April 14 for a venue to be decided upon.
“The match is now confirmed to be played on June 8,” he said. “We have also told them [North Korea] to come back with a neutral venue, in the event the diplomatic situation is not solved.”
The t wo countries have become embroiled in a growing row after Malaysia accused North Korea of assassinating Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged half-brother of Pyongyang ruler Kim Jong-Un, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb 13.