Thailand plans to replace Theerathon

Theerathon in Buriram United shirt.

Siamsport has an article listing 10 faces that can replace Theerathon's left-back role in the national team in the near future, especially when the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers are approaching. Among them are veterans like Sasalak Haiprakhon or newly naturalized player Eric Dahl.

Theerathon will miss the opening match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers against Sri Lanka on March 25 due to injury. Coach Masatada Ishii is considering moving right-back Nicholas Mickelson to the left wing to temporarily fill Theerathon's void.

In the friendly match won 2-0 against Afghanistan on March 21, the Japanese coach also tested a new element, Airfan Doloh. The BG Pathum player played a good role for 65 minutes on the field, before being substituted for Suphanan Bureerat.

In the long term, coach Ishii still needs a reliable face at left-back to gradually replace Theerathon.

At 35, Theerathon is still a top star in Thai football. He continues to be a mainstay for Buriram United, who have just made a splash by reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite. Opta has recorded Theerathon as one of the players with the most passes into the opponent's final third in the league.

However, the Thai player suffered a serious knee injury in the match against Kuala Lumpur in early February and had to sit out for a period of time. Thai media are concerned that Theerathon's form has declined since his return.

Theerathon was helpless in Thailand's loss. In the 37th minute, Thailand's left-back was easily eliminated by Turgunboev, before scoring the opening goal for Uzbekistan in the match in the round of 16 of the Asian Cup on the evening of January 30.