Kiartisak's chances of participating in the continent's top-flight competition earlier appeared slim after being left out of the team on fitness grounds to face China in a friendly that Thailand won 1-0 last month.

The 33-year-old Kiartisak, however, was thrown a lifeline to his fading national career when he was picked up as a member of the side to encounter the Netherlands in the second warm-up match, in which he watched on the sidelines his team-mates getting soundly beaten 3-1 last week. And the former V-League's Hoang Anh Gia Lai striker was included in coach Chanvit Pholchivin's provisional 30-member team, who are now away in Germany for two-week training.

Chanvit was pleased with what he saw in training in the last week as many players showed progress, particular in physical fitness. He said he would leave the team selection until the last minute to ensure that his side was made up of the best, given that the Asian Football Confederation [AFC] allowed the teams to make changes to the lists until six hours before the first match.

Chanvit's men are due to play Dortmund's reserve team at midnight tonight (Bangkok time). Chanvit said he would field two different sides in each half. The first team will be mostly comprised of experienced players led by Kiartisak, while the other is a youthful one, with young star striker Teeratep "Leesaw" Winothai featuring up front.

The quadrennial tournament, which is co-hosted by Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, will kick off next month. The Kingdom are in Group A along with Australia, Iraq and Oman.