Under-23 team play for pride
[SOCCER] Kasem Jariyawatwong, Thailand's under-23 team manager, has urged his boys to produce a performance that could put them in the running for a place in the Asian Cup squad, when they face India in their last 2008 Olympic qualifying Group E match on Wednesday.
With both teams already out of the race for places in the Asian Zone final qualifying round, the match initially was due to take place at Muang Municipality stadium in Chon Buri province. However, the Asian Football Confederation [AFC] did not allow the game to be held at the venue, stating the stadium was very small.The game will now take place at the Rajamangala National Stadium prior to the international friendly between Thailand's Asian Cup squad and the Netherlands. And Kasem felt that it would be a good opportunity for his young players to get a call-up for coach Chanvit Pholchivin's team. "It's very good for my lads to play on the same day and place as the Asian Cup squad. The fans will also have a rare opportunity to see two national teams play," said Kasem. "Although we have no chance for qualification, I told my boys to play all out in order to claim three points and impress the fans. We need to beat India because the outcome of this match will have consequences on the team seeding in the qualifying round next time. "Moreover, the game will present a window of opportunity for my boys to show what they are capable of in front of the senior team's staff coaches. This will be their best chance to make an impression to get a nod for such a big tournament," said Kasem. The match will kick off at 4pm, three hours ahead of the highly anticipated game between the Kingdom and the Netherlands led by the legendary Marco van Basten. Meanwhile, Assumption College Thonburi won the Under-15 Manchester United Premier Cup's Southeast Asia regional final after defeating East Bengal of India 1-0 in the final match in Singapore on Saturday. The victory meant the Thai team earned a berth in the World finals, which will be staged in August, where they will face 19 other teams.
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