World Cup qualification just got tougher for Thailand

[snoop1130]

World Cup qualification just got tougher for Thailand

By The Nation

 

 

Thailand were placed in a tricky group with the United Arab Emirates and arch-rivals Vietnam when the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification draw was conducted in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

 

Thailand were assigned in Group G alongside not just Asian powerhouses such as the UAE and regional No1 Vietnam but also Malaysia and Indonesia. The teams will play each other both home and away.

It will serve as a tough baptism for newly-appointed national coach Akira Nishino from Japan, who is due to officially sign a contract with the Football Association of Thailand in Japan on Friday.

The second round of Asian qualification for the 2022 World Cup consists of eight groups, each with five nations. The eight group leaders and four best second-placed teams will move into the third round and will automatically qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup in China.

Thailand’s opening qualifier will be against Vietnam on September 5.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30373124

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand  2019-07-17

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

[BMW Overlander]

I don't expect any South-East Asian nation to qualify for  World Cup for at least next 50 years.

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

I don't expect any South-East Asian nation to qualify for  World Cup for at least next 50 years.

Isn't it just a matter of hiring enough foreign professionals to elevate team success, at least for qualification?

[DoktorC]

4 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Isn't it just a matter of hiring enough foreign professionals to elevate team success, at least for qualification?

Maybe you thought Messi was for hire...

[khunken]

5 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Isn't it just a matter of hiring enough foreign professionals to elevate team success, at least for qualification?

Partly but to allow foreigners to qualify for the Thai national team requires residency for a period of years leading to citizenship. The latter is not something that the authorities are comfortable with.

 

BTW, contrary to the Op, I'd say that Thailand is in the easiest group. However the Thai national team has not progressed for many years while the likes of Vietnam, Malaysia & Singapore have. Political appointments within FAT do not equate to better quality football standards.