FAT keen to host Fifa Congress
A verbal proposal by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to host the Fifa Congress in 2019 has been well-received by the chief of the world governing body, Gianni Infantino.
FAT president Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang floated the idea during a meeting with Infantino at the Fifa Headquarters in Zurich on Wednesday.
Somyot, accompanied by FAT secretarygeneral Pol Lt Gen Pisan Jundilok and his deputy Patit Supapong, is in Switzerland for a Fifa meeting which ends today.
Somyot also briefed the Fifa president on various projects the FAT plans to initiate under the 20-year national development programme.
The FAT chief also expressed interest in playing host to other Fifa meetings and activities, including training courses and seminars, in the future.
Infantino reportedly praised the Thai plans and assured the FAT it would receive all possible assistance from Fifa.
Fifa has held an ordinary congress every year for the last two decades, with each of the more than 200 members getting a single vote. As 2019 comes one year after a World Cup — in this case Russia 2018 — this congress should include the Fifa presidential election.
FANTASTIC RALLY
Bangkok United staged a stunning comeback to recover from 3-1 down and edge Bangkok Glass FC 5-4 in their Thai League 1 encounter on Wednesday night.
Dragan Boskovic put Bangkok United ahead in the 21st minute before Surachart Sareepim scored a hat-trick for the Glass Rabbits, hitting the mark in the 42nd, 51st and 58th minutes to give his side a massive 3-1 advantage.
Boskovic kick-started Bangkok United’s recovery when he netted his second in the 66th minute from the spot with 3-2 before Mario Gjurovski equalised with a 77thminute strike.
Jitpanya Tisud tipped the balance in Bangkok Glass’ favour once again with a spectacular shot 10 minutes from time.
But Manuel Tom Bihr rekindled Bangkok United’s hopes with a goal in injury time and Boskovic then completed his hat-trick to seal a 5-4 victory for his club.
Bangkok United coach Mano Polking said: “It was an exciting game. We were 3-1 down but our players showed character and did not give in. We came back well.
“I would have been happy with one point but we got three points in the end.”
Bangkok Glass coach Aurelio Vidmar said: “It will take some time for the result to sink in.
“This is the first time in my 10-year coaching career that such a thing has happened. But it is a big lesson for us.”
Bangkok United moved up to third place with 44 points, behind Buriram United (52 points) and SCG Muang Thong United, who remained four points behind the leaders following their 1-0 win over Nakhon Ratchasima on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, Navy beat Chiang Rai United 2-0, Police Tero drew 0-0 with Ratchaburi FC, and Suphanburi and Sukhothai played to a 1-1 draw.
Meanwhile, the FAT has named a squad of 30 players for the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers from July 19-23, and the 29th SEA Games in Malaysia from Aug 19-30.