By Duncan Mackay
January 3 – Worawi Makudi, whose position as President of the Football Association of Thailand (TAF) has been under threat, has signalled his intention to stay in his role by setting out a series of targets for coach, former England captain Bryan Robson (pictured with Worawi), during 2010.
Worawi, a member of the FIFA Executive Committee, had threatened to step down from his post last month after the country’s disastrous campaign in the 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEA) tournament when the under-23 team were knocked out in the preliminary round, the first time in 36 years they had failed to reach the knock-out stage.
The performance had led to some officials and supporters calling for Worawi to step down.
But now he has set his sights on overseeing a revival, led by Robson, the former Manchester United captain and Middlesborough and West Bromwich Albion manager.
Worawi said: ”I want the national teams to produce impressive results to bring back the fans’ faith.”
The full national team will resume their Asian Cup qualifying campaign against Jordan at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Wednesday.
After the Jordan match, the national team will take part in the King’s Cup tournament in Nakhon Ratchasima later this month.
The under-23, meanwhile, will participate in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, from November 11-27 and will be prepared for the tournament by Robson.
Worawi said: ”There are several months before the Asian Games but I want concerned parties to prepare the team from now.”
Thailand have reached the Asian Games semi-finals three times in 1990, 1998 and 2002.
However, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals in the previous Games in Qatar in 2006.
Worawi said: ”Our goal is to reach the semi-finals.
“If we are well-prepared we may be able to bring home a medal.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734793087labto1734793087ofdlr1734793087owedi1734793087sni@y1734793087akcam1734793087.nacn1734793087ud1734793087.
Related stories
December 2009: FIFA Executive Committee member offers to step down in Thailand
