Sunday 05 / January / 2025
Muscat: Thailand’s football association have sacked head coach Milovan Rajevac, a day after the national team suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at the hands of India, in their opening game of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The news was announced by General Dr. Somyot Poompanmuang, the President of the Football Association of Thailand. Assistant manager Choktawee Promrat will take charge of the national team, alongside new appointee Sirisak Yotkhakthai.
“For the results of the Thai national team in the AFC Asian Cup 2019, in the first match of Group A, that saw the national team defeated 1-4 by the Indian national team, the Thai national football team along with the staff, all coaches will be fully responsible,” said Poompanmuang. “But, as far as competition results go, I am confident that this is not the form of Thai national team playing at the tournament. The Thai national team now needs the support of everyone.
“In this regard, I would like to announce the end of the contract of Milovan Rajevac, who has been serving as head coach of the Thai national team, along with some of his staff members, and announce the appointment of Mr. Sirisak Yotkhakthai to perform the duties of the Thai national team, with Choktawee Promrat, as assistant coach, in the next match of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup with immediate effect.”
Indian captain Sunil Chhetri had opened the scoring with a 27th minute penalty, only for Teerasil Dangda who equalised six minutes later. The Indians took the lead once more when Chhetri scored to make it 2-1 in the 46th minute, before late goals by Anirudh Thapa (68’) and Jeje Lalpekhlua (80’) sealed the win for the Indians.
“In addition to the obligations and full support of the association, I am also a Thai football fan, who was disappointed with the results of the Thai national team in this game, just like the Thai football fans all over the country,” said Poompanmuang. “And as president of the association, I can't stand still when faced with this problem.
“On this difficult night, above all I thank you all,” he said, directly addressing the fans of the Thailand national football team. “Cheers to all Thai football fans, who have sent encouragement to cheer the War Elephants, our Thai national team players, who have entered the field of the greatest football event in Asia, a moment that we have been waiting for, for a long time. The Football Association of Thailand has fully supported the preparation in all aspects so that the Thai national team has the highest potential before the competition, because the association has clear goals, that it wants the Thai national team to produce better results than ever.”
Thailand’s next game is against Bahrain on 10 January, with kick-off at 3pm GST. They then face the hosts, United Arab Emirates, four days later.
