Thailand calls up 4 overseas players to attend AFF Cup 2024

Nicholas Mickelson is playing in the Danish Superliga for Odense, with 16 appearances and three assists. The right-back, born in 1999 to a Norwegian father and a Thai mother, has played for the Norwegian national team from U16 to U21. Since 2022, he has returned to play for his motherland and is considered the best right-back.

Midfielder Supachok Sarachat has played 21 times for J-League 1 club Consadole Sapporo this season. He has scored two goals and provided five assists, but could not help the team avoid relegation after the 2024 season. The other two names playing in Japan are midfielder Ekanit Panya, with 14 matches for Urawa Red Diamonds, and striker Patrik Gustavsson – who has scored two goals in 24 matches for J-League 3 club Nara.

According to the AFF Cup 2024 regulations, teams only need to finalize the list of 26 players for the tournament one day before the opening match. But instead of waiting until December 7, coach Masatada Ishii announced the list of 26 players this afternoon, November 26.

The Japanese coach did as he had previously announced, when he called up the players named in the October and November training sessions. He could not have all the best players because some Thai League 1 clubs were still competing in parallel with the 2024 AFF Cup. In addition, the pillars of the past decade such as Chanathip Songkrasin, Theerathon Bunmathan, Teerasil Dangda, Sarach Yooyen will not be present to make room for new players.

However, the announced squad still ensures a quality vertical axis. The defense has goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai, defender Mickelsson, Pansa Hemviboon, Suphanan Bureerat or Jonathan Khemdee. The midfield has three good central midfielders Worachit, Peeradon and Weerathep Pomphan, along with highly rated young player Seksan Ratree. The attack will be led by brothers Supachok and Suphanat Mueanta.

This list has only seven players left from the AFF Cup 2022 championship squad under coach Mano Polking. The names include goalkeeper Kampol Pathomakkakul, defenders Pansa, Suphanan and Chalermsak Aukkee, midfielders Peeradon, Ekanit and Weerathep.

Thailand will join the team on December 2, but will not have their full squad. Three Bangkok United players will join on December 5, while five Port FC players will join on December 6, as the same club is playing in the AFC Champions League Two. Goalkeeper Kampol will join the team on December 8, after playing in the Thai League 1 with Ratchaburi.

Meanwhile, Ekanit Panya and Supachok Sarachat will join the team on December 10, after the end of J-League 1. Therefore, both will be absent from the opening match of Group A against Timor Leste at Hang Day Stadium on December 8.

After that, Ishii and his team will meet Malaysia (home, December 14), Singapore (away, December 17) and Cambodia (home, December 20). The goal is to become the first team to win the AFF Cup three times in a row.

The AFF Cup will be renamed the ASEAN Cup from 2024, and will be held from December 8, 2024 to January 5, 2025. The 10 teams will be divided into two groups, playing two home and two away matches, with the top two teams and the second-placed teams advancing to the semi-finals. From this round, the matches will be played in two legs, home and away, but the away goals rule will not be taken into account.

After 14 editions, Thailand leads with seven championships (1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2022). Following are Singapore (1998, 2004, 2007, 2012), Vietnam (2008, 2018) and Malaysia (2010).

List of Thai football team participating in AFF Cup 2024

Goalkeepers (3): Korrakot Popatnadda (Rayong), Patiwat Khammai (Bangkok United), Kampol Pathomakkakul (Ratchaburi FC)

Defenders (10): Pansa Hemviboon (Buriram United), Nicholas Mickelson (Odense), Saringkan Promsupa (Sukhothai), Thitathorn Aksornsri, James Beresford (Uthai Thani), Kritsada Nontharat (Bangkok United), Suphanan Bureerat, Chalermsak Aukkee (Port FC ), Jonathan Khemdee, Apisit Sorada (Ratchaburi FC),

Midfielders (10): Worachit Kanitsribampen, Peeradon Chamratsamee (Port FC), Ekanit Panya (Urawa Red Diamonds), William Weidersjo, Ben Davis (Uthai Thani), Anan Yodsangwal, Akarapong Pumwisat (Lamphun Warriors), Seksan Ratree (Buriram United) , Weerathep Pomphan (Bangkok United), Supachok Sarachat (Consadole Sapporo)

Forwards (3): Suphanat Mueanta (Buriram United), Teerasak Poeiphimai (Port FC), Patrik Gustavsson (Nara).