Supachok: We will go as far as we can
Buriram United forward Supachok Sarachat believes it could be Thailand’s time to shine at the AFC U23 Championship.
Thailand will host the continental championship between Jan 8-26. Matches will be played at four venues, including Rajamangala National Stadium, Thammasat Stadium in Rangsit, Buriram Stadium (Chang Arena) and Tinsulanonda Stadium in Songkhla.
Thailand appeared in two of the three editions of the championship but never got past the group stage.
“I think this time we will put on a performance very different from the previous editions,” said the 21-yearold forward.
“We’re playing at home, in front of our fans who will fill the stadiums for every match. Their support, plus the efforts of our team members, who have the experience of playing in big games, will help us beat our opponents.
“Of course, there is some pressure on us because we are playing at home, but we will take the pressure as motivation and do our best for our supporters.”
While the AFC U23 Championship often draws scouts from around the globe to eye some of the best young talent in Asia, Supachok insisted that the way to succeed will be to focus on the team and not the individual.
“I am really not focusing on any individual targets, the team is much more important,” he said. “If I score 10 goals but the team is eliminated, my efforts are pointless. I am confident my teammates feel the same way.
“Of course, the knowledge that scouts from all over the world will be present is a motivating factor to put on good performances, but that should be a good team performance, if only one or two players play well that means our team has a big problem.
“The three teams in our group have very good quality, although I don’t know them in detail. We will not underestimate them, but we will do our best in all three matches as our first target is to reach the knockout rounds.”
Should Thailand finish among the top three in the tournament, the young War Elephants would secure qualification for the men’s football team at the
Olympic Games for the first time since 1968. There has been no Southeast Asian men’s football side at the Olympics since 1972.
Thailand are in Group A along with inaugural champions Iraq, Bahrain and Australia, and Supachok is aware that the trio will prove a stern challenge for the Young War Elephants.
“The AFC U23 Championship is among the toughest tournaments in Asia and every team who made it here is of a high standard,” he said.
“I think everyone will expect us to do well at the tournament and go as far as possible because we are the host.
“There is expectation from the fans, and expectation from within the team itself. We will go as far as we can and aim to get a place at the Olympic Games.”
Meanwhile the U23 players have reported for training yesterday.
The squad has the likes of Thai-English rising star Benjamin Davis, Kevin Deeromram, Supachok, Supachai Chaided while Suphanat Mueanta will join the team later.
The 33-member squad will be cut down to 23 by Dec 29.
GROUP A FIXTURES (kick-offs at 8.15pm)
Jan 8: Thailand v Bahrain (Rajamangala National Stadium)
Jan 11: Thailand v Australia (Rajamangala National Stadium)
Jan 14: Thailand v Iraq (Rajamangala National Stadium)