Witthaya bets his future on senior team

Witthaya Laohakul has vowed to quit as technical chairman of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) if the national team fails to retain the Suzuki Cup later this year.

Witthaya and FAT president Somyot Poompunmuang yesterday met national coach Milovan Rajevac to discuss Thailand’s preparations for next month’s King’s Cup and other issues.

The annual King’s Cup tournament will be held at Rajamangala National Stadium from March 23-25 with Thailand, Slovakia, Gabon and the United Arab Emirates as the participants.

Rajevac said he planned to call up some young players to the squad for the King’s Cup.

“There could be surprises. We may see some new faces in the team for the King’s Cup,’’ Rajevac said.

He said he would also call up four overseas-based players — Kawin Thamsatchanan, Teerasil Dangda, Threerathon Bunmathan and Chanathip Songkrasin — to help the team in the defence of their King’s Cup title.

The FAT had planned to use a junior team to defend the title at the Suzuki Cup (Southeast Asian championship).

However, Witthaya said the FAT would use the senior team for the Suzuki Cup.

“We will use the senior team for the Suzuki Cup. If we use a young side and fail to defend the title, it will be a disaster for Thai football. If we use the senior team and still fail to retain the title, then I will shoulder responsibility,” he said.