Thailand have set the high bar at next month’s SEA Games, in which their managers target all 4 gold medals in football and futsal, both in men and women.
Watanya Wongopasi, the men U22’s team manager, said yesterday her team’s preparation began nearly a year ago.
“We have done our homework and studied our opponents,” Watanya told a press conference, as quoted by Bangkok Post.
On the other hand, the woman known affectionately as “Madame Dear” said Vietnam U22 is the strongest opponents for Thailand in the group stage.
“Vietnam are probably our strongest opponents in the group stage. Their players have played together for a long time and we cannot underestimate them,” said Watanya.
The women’s side will get a chance to defend their title after a gap of four years since the event was dropped from the 2015 event in Singapore.
Thailand women team will battle for the gold against Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Malaysia in the round-robin format, which takes place for the first time at SEA Games.
“Our goal is to defend the title. But we cannot underestimate Vietnam and Myanmar as they have improved over the years. Even hosts Malaysia can be a threat. We cannot take them lightly. We will carry on with our task and hope to have the support of the fans who will boost our confidence,” women’s team manager Nualphan Lamsam said in the press conference quoted by The Nation.