January 7 – Serbian coach Milan Rajevac was relieved from his role as Thailand coach after a disastrous 4-1 defeat at the hands of India in their opening group A game in the 2019 Asian Cup.
The Thais had been the favourites against India, but were comprehensively beaten by India whose aggressive and pacey game proved too much to handle. For much of the second half the Thai were on the back foot as they had little response to India’s all-round play.
“I believe that, this is not the way we, not just FA Thailand, but all Thai people, supporting this national Team to play,” said FA Thailand President Somyot Poompanmuong in a statement.
“In this regard, I would like to announce the termination of the contract of the head coach of the Thai national team Milovan Rajevac and also announce the appointment of Sirisak Yodyardthai to perform the duties with the team with Choketawee Promrat as the assistant coach to prepare the team for the next match in the AFC Asian Cup.”
Rajevac had look dejected after the defeat, saying: “After this match we have still opportunities in the next two matches. We have to improve a lot, football is not just technique. We have to play for the result, not just for the beauty.”
He had been under pressure coming into the Asian Cup following Thailand’s shock semi-final defeat in the Suzuki Cup last year against Malaysia. Vietnam went on to win the tournament to end Thailand’s dominance of South-east Asian football.
In the past the Serbian took Ghana to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where the Black Stars were eliminated in dramatic fashion by Uruguay. He had signed a two-year extension of his contract with Thailand in February 2018.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734796096labto1734796096ofdlr1734796096owedi1734796096sni@o1734796096fni1734796096
