At the launch of the Liverpool Youth Academy in Thailand on January 21, Coach Kiatisuk shared profound thoughts on Thailand’s defeat at the 2024 AFF Cup. He emphasized that despite the difficulties, this is an opportunity for Thai football to reflect and grow stronger in the future.
Failure Is Not the End
“When Thailand’s national team fails, we feel like we’re being bullied,” Coach Kiatisuk admitted candidly. “I personally don’t enjoy losing either.” The coach believes that the defeat at the 2024 AFF Cup will serve as motivation for young Thai players to work harder in upcoming tournaments. Thai football still has many significant goals ahead, from the Asian Cup to World Cup qualifiers.
Thailand lost the AFF Cup title to Vietnam (Photo: Huong Duong).
Lessons from the Past, Vision for the Future
Kiatisuk is an icon of Thai football, having won three AFF Cup titles as a player in 1996, 2000, and 2002, and two more as a coach in 2014 and 2016. Therefore, the national team’s failure at the 2024 AFF Cup was not just a shock but also a significant issue for him personally. However, he believes the key is to look forward. “I played for the national team when I was only 19. So, young players need to show their courage in front of the Thai national team coach,” he said. According to him, young players should not limit themselves. The AFF Cup or SEA Games are stepping stones; there are bigger goals like the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers.
Coach Kiatisuk wants young Thai players to be more confident and have a greater desire to contribute to the national team (Photo: Hai Long).
Role of “Thai Diaspora” and Love for Football
Another issue Coach Kiatisuk addressed was the use of “Thai diaspora” players under Coach Masatada Ishii. He stated, “In my opinion, whether they are pure Thai or Thai diaspora, as long as they meet the regulations, there is no problem.”
The most important thing, according to him, is that players must play with passion. “When players give their all, fans will never abandon them. Players will never be alone,” he stressed.
Conclusion
The defeat at the 2024 AFF Cup is not the end for Thai football. Instead, it is an opportunity for the team to recognize its shortcomings and prepare better for the future. With the guidance of leaders like Coach Kiatisuk, there is hope that Thai football will soon regain its glory and continue to be one of the strongest teams in Southeast Asia.
Let’s look forward to the new advancements of Thai football in the near future!
Source:
Dantri.com.vn
