Road is tough for Thai teams
Thai representatives SCG Muang Thong and Chiang Rai United face tough assignments to reach the AFC Champions League group stage.
In the ACL second play-off round on Tuesday night, Thai League 1 runners-up Muang Thong hammered Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim 5-2 while FA Cup winners Chiang Rai beat Indonesia’s Bali United 2-1 after extra-time.
At Supachalasai Stadium, Sarach Yooyen (7th minute), Tristan Do (21), Heberty Fernandes (29 and 63) and Theerathon Bunmathan (56) scored for the Kirins.
At United Stadium, Akarawin Sawasdee (94) and Pathompol Charoenrattanapirom (105) were on target for hosts Chiang Rai, while Ilija Spasojevic (116) scored for Bali.
Muang Thong will meet Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol in a one-off match for a place in the ACL group stage on Jan 30, while Chiang Rai will take on Shanghai SIPG on the same day.
“Kashiwa Reysol are a good team. We hope to get a good result against them,” said Muang Thong coach Totchtawan Sripan.
Meanwhile, Muang Thong stars Theerathon and Teerasil Dangda, who played in Tuesday’s encounter, will join Japanese clubs Vissel Kobe and Sanfracce Hiroshima on loan respectively.
JANKOVIC’S FUTURE
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) will make a decision on the future of national U23 team coach Zoran Jankovic next month.
Thailand returned from the AFC U23 Championship in China empty-handed following three defeats in the group stage recently.
The poor performance prompted the FAT to call a meeting of its bosses and Jankovic yesterday.
During the review meeting, Jankovic said that several key players were absent from the squad because their clubs refused to release them.
Since several U23 stars are central figures of their clubs, the FAT may use U21 players at this year’s Asian Games, said FAT technical chief Witthaya Laohakul.
The football tournament at the Asiad is for U23 players.
As for Jankovic’s future, Witthaya said the FAT would discus the matter next month.