New coach says ‘Su Su Thailand’
Rajevac to be paid ‘less than’ Kiatisak
As the country’s new football coach Milovan Rajevac touched base with the Thai fans through a videotaped message, a top official said the Serb veteran would cost the Football Association of Thailand less than his predecessor Kiatisak Senamuang.
The FAT officially announced on Wednesday that Rajevac, a former Ghana coach, had been selected to take over the reins of the Thailand national team.
Rajevac celebrated the news by sending a short video clip to FAT and the War Elephants’ fans, saying: “Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
“I am looking forward for working with you. Su Su Thailand.”
Rajevac will start working as the head coach of the national team on May 5 and his first mission will be to prepare the Thai squad for an away warm-up game with Uzbekistan on June 7.
It will be followed by a World Cup qualifying round match with the United Arab Emirates on June 13 at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium.
Meanwhile, FAT secretary-general Pol Lt Gen Pisan Jundilok said the new coach would not cost the association as much as Kiatisak, who resigned last month after a string of disappointing results in the World Cup qualifiers.
“We had worked out a selection criteria which was used to vet all the candidates, including Rajevac,” said Pisan.
“The FAT is looking forward to some useful contributions from the new coach.
“I cannot reveal the exact amount of Rajevac’s salary, but I can say that he will be getting less than Kiatisak Senamuang.”
Kiatisak, a former national team striker who was nicknamed Zico by his fans in his heydays, received a monthly salary of two million baht, according to media reports.
Kiatisak, 43, announced his resignation as national team coach after his men were hammered 3-0 at home by Saudi Arabia and thrashed 4-0 by Japan in Saitama in World Cup qualifiers recently.
The results were described by FAT president Somyot Poompunmuang as “embarrassing”.
Thailand are at the bottom of Group B in Asia’s final qualifying stage for the 2018 World Cup and, with three games left, are already out of contention for a place in the Finals.
KIRINS MAKE HISTORY
Muang Thong became the first Thai team ever to qualify for the knockout last-16 stage of the AFC Champions League following an impressive 3-0 victory over Brisbane Roar on Wednesday night.
The heavy defeat quashed Brisbane’s hopes for a place in the next round, consigning them to the foot of the table.
The Kirins had the better of the first half at their SCG Stadium, but struggled to make the most of their dominance until Spanish striker Xisco Jeminez guided a Tristan Do cross into the net in the 37th minute.
Brisbane Roar keeper Jamie Young needed 26 stitches in a nasty arm gash from a rusty net hook while trying in vain to save the goal and the club is reportedly planning to lodge a complaint.
A piece of magic from Chanathip Songkrasin sealed the match for the home side and Teerasil Dangda rounded out the 3-0 win by scoring on a cross from Peerapat Notechaiya.
Muang Thong coach Totchtawan Sripan said: “At this moment, we are more focused on our last group game against the J-League champions Kashima Antlers. I don’t expect the opposition to be any stronger than what we have already tackled in the group stage.”