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Published on December 19, 2007

Star striker Teeratep "Leesaw" Winothai and Manchester City-bound players - teenage forward Teerasil Daengda and centre-back Kiatprawut Saiwaeo - were among the eight who received the call up on the strength of their impressive performance that helped the hosts win the SEA Games title.

The eight joined the senior side, who recently returned from their training stint at Manchester City, in Chanvit Pholchivin's initial squad. The list will be trimmed from 26 to 20 on Friday.

Thailand enter the event as the defending champions and face a tougher test retaining the title with reigning Asian Cup champions Iraq, Uzbekistan and North Korea in the fray.

Buoyed by the SEA Games success and the 2-0 win over the City's reserve side, which included Greek international Georgios Samaras, team manager Kittiratt Na Ranong is convinced that his men stand a good chance of retaining the title.

Thailand play Uzbekistan in the opening match at the Rajamangala National Stadium on Saturday.

The Nation