Worawi backs TPL fixture change for Thailand's WCup bid
Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi will discuss the possibility of rearranging domestic fixtures with Thai Premier League in a bid to accommodate the national team's World Cup qualifying campaign.
Thailand are the early pacesetters in Group F after winning their opening two matches, against Vietnam (10) and Taiwan (20). They next face 2011 Asian champions Iraq, considered group favourites, who have yet to start their campaign, at home on September 8.
National coach Kiatisak Senamuang had earlier said he wanted the TPL to consider moving fixtures in an effort to help the country’s push for a berth in the 12-team qualifying round.
On the sidelines of a press conference at which a Toyota Hilux Revo Cab was handed as a bonus to the country’s SEA Games-winning team, the Thai FA boss said he was ready to step in to ensure Kiatisak prepares the team in the best possible way.
“Our third World Cup qualifier against Iraq on September 8 at Rajamangala National Stadium is a crucial match because winning the game would give us a much higher chance of qualifying. So we need to prepare the team very well.
“Coach Zico [Kiatisak’s nickname] asked the league to push back one round of fixtures in order to increase the time to prepare the team from two to three weeks. We first need to discuss this with the TPL. However, if the national team is to succeed, everyone needs to pull together in the same direction,” said Worawi.
