New coach Milovan Rajevac decided not to call up SCG Muangthong United star players for the friendly match with Uzbekistan in Taskhent on Tuesday.
The 22-member Thai national team was announced on Sunday, notably, there were no Muangthong United player, with striker Teerasil Dangda, playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin, goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan and left-back Theerathon Bunmathan all left out.
Meanwhile, Rajevac picked veteran striker Teerathep Winothai for the team, who departs today for Tashkent.
Explaining his decision, the 63-year-old Serbian said: “We all realize that Muangthong players are tired after playing so many matches,” as quoted by The Bangkok Post.
“Those who are not traveling to Tashkent with the team still have a chance to get back on the side, but I am sure that the newcomers would do their best to impress in the game with Uzbekistan,” he stressed that there would be changes to the team after the Tashkent friendly.
The War Elephants are scheduled to face the United Arab Emirates in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in Bangkok on June 13.