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Published on December 22, 2007

The Thai team have recently achieved creditable results following the qualification for the 2010 World Cup's third qualifying round and the success in the recently ended SEA Games, which saw them win their eighth consecutive title.

Having had a disappointing first half of the year, in which they finished runners-up in the Asean Championship, Chanvit Pholchivin's men now have an opportunity in the quadrangular competition to round off their relatively successful year in a befitting manner.

Chanvit's side are a mixture of youth and experience, with eight members led by star striker Teeratep "Leesaw" Winothai from the team who won the SEA Games included in the squad.

Given that most of the players just returned from a successful training stint at Premier League outfit Manchester City to prepare for their World Cup qualifying campaign, in which they beat City's reserve team 2-0, the hosts have every reason to be confident that they would be able to retain the title.

However, they will face tough tests given the presence of the continent's three leading nations: Asian Cup champions Iraq, North Korea and Uzbekistan in the field.

The hosts are shorn of the services of three first-team regulars. Injured midfielder Tawan Sripan, Datsakorn Thonglao and Sutee Suksomkit are set to miss the game. Manchester City-bound Suree Sukha also remained doubtful due to injury.

Thailand open their campaign against Uzbekistan today, a game in which Chanvit would experiment with a new pairing of Sarayoot Chaikamdee and Piphop Onmo upfront.

 "Sarayoot is in good form so he is our main choice. I would like to hand Piphop a start as I want to see whether the pair can work together," he said.

Chanvit remains wary of Uzbekistan even though the visitors were devoid of their European-based stars such as Dynamo Kiev's Maksim Shatskikh.

The game will take place at the Rajamangala National Stadium. Tickets priced at Bt 100, 200 and 500 are available at the venue.

Channel 7 will televise the match live from 5pm.

 Kitinan Sanguansak

 The Nation