All three players, Suphanat Mueanta, Pansa Hemviboon and Seksan Ratree, recently participated in the match where the Thai team made a spectacular comeback to defeat Singapore with a score of 4-2, to enter the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2024 (ASEAN Championship) one round early and secure the top spot in Group A.
Suphanat Mueanta (10) is currently the best player of AFF Cup 2024, scoring 3 goals and having 4 assists, winning the best player of the match award twice.
However, immediately after returning to Thailand, Suphanat Mueanta, Pansa Hemviboon and Seksan Ratree immediately returned to Buriram United. Accordingly, the Thai press said that the leadership of Buriram United wanted these 3 players to participate in the match against Mahasarakham in the round of 32 of the FA Cup of this country at 7:00 p.m. on December 18. After that, they can also play in the Thai League 1 make-up match against Muangthong United on December 22.
For now, Suphanat Mueanta, Pansa Hemviboon and Seksan Ratree have returned to their clubs, meaning they will miss the next match when Thailand meets Cambodia on December 20 in the final round of Group A.
This is a formality for the "War Elephants", as they have already entered the semi-finals and secured the top spot because they have the best head-to-head record compared to the other teams in the group. But for the Cambodian team, this is a decisive match for their chance to continue if they win, although the possibility is quite slim.
Highlight Thailand 1-0 Malaysia | ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024
Coach Masatada Ishii also confirmed after the match where Thailand won against Singapore that he will likely rotate the squad and use many reserve players in the match against Cambodia, in order to give the key players a rest to prepare for the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2024 (taking place on December 27, first leg, and December 30, second leg).
However, this plan of coach Masatada Ishii suddenly encountered a huge shock when three important players Suphanat Mueanta, Pansa Hemviboon and Seksan Ratree had to return to Buriram United Club when the group stage matches had not yet ended.
Thailand team soon entered the semi-finals of AFF Cup 2024 with the top position in the group
The AFF Cup is not included in the FIFA Days calendar, so clubs are not obliged to release players to the national team. Most important players are called up with the agreement of the club and the federation.
The Malaysian national team recently experienced a similar situation, when up to 6 players had to return to their clubs, causing disruption to the squad and making it difficult for coaches to prepare for matches in the tournament. But they all had to accept it, because it is impossible to force clubs to have the obligation to release players to the national team.
For the Thai team, the absence of star player Suphanat Mueanta, with the possibility of not participating in the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2024, will be a huge shock.
Suphanat Mueanta has scored 3 goals and had 4 assists after 3 group stage matches for the Thai team. This 22-year-old midfielder in his first AFF Cup appearance has shown extremely impressive performance, twice being selected as the best player of the match. Suphanat Mueanta is also making Thai fans completely forget about star Chanathip Songkrasin.
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has not commented on the absence of Suphanat Mueanta, veteran centre-back Pansa Hemviboon and midfielder Seksan Ratree. However, it is likely that after participating in the matches against Buriram United, all three players will return to the Thai national team. However, the fact that they are not getting enough rest is making Thai fans extremely angry, because it will affect their performance in the semi-finals and possibly the final of the AFF Cup.
The Thai team still has two of its best stars, Ekanit Panya (25 years old) and Supachok Sarachat (26 years old), who have not played any matches because they need to recover physically after the season in Japan. In the semi-finals, they will have a chance to compete, according to coach Masatada Ishii.
Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 is broadcast live and in full on FPT Play, at: http://fptplay.vn
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/aff-cup-sau-malaysia-3-cau-thu-thai-lan-bat-ngo-roi-doi-tuyen-tro-lai-clb-185241218112156456.htm
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