AFF Cup: After Malaysia, 3 Thai players suddenly left the team to return to the club

All three players, Suphanat Mueanta, Pansa Hemviboon and Seksan Ratree, just participated in the match where the Thai team made a spectacular comeback to win against Singapore with a score of 4-2, to soon enter the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2024 (ASEAN Championship). 1 round ahead and guaranteed top spot in Group A.

However, immediately after returning to Thailand, Suphanat Mueanta, Pansa Hemviboon and Seksan Ratree immediately returned to Buriram United Club. Accordingly, the Thai press said that the leaders of Buriram United Club want these three players to compete in the match against Mahasarakham in the round of 32 of this country’s FA Cup, which takes place at 7:00 p.m. on December 18. Next, they can also play in the Thai League 1 make-up match against Muangthong United on December 22.

In the immediate future, Suphanat Mueanta, Pansa Hemviboon and Seksan Ratree have returned to the club, it is considered that they will be absent from the next match when the Thai team meets the Cambodian team on December 20 in the final round of Group A.

This is only a formality match for “War Elephants”, as they soon entered the semi-finals and secured first place because they had the best head-to-head record compared to the other teams in the group. But for the Cambodian team, this is a decisive match that gives them a chance to continue if they win, even though the possibility is quite slim.

Coach Masatada Ishii after the Thai team’s victory over Singapore also confirmed that he will likely rotate the squad and use many reserve players to play the match against the Cambodian team, in order to let the main players rest in preparation for the match. AFF Cup 2024 semi-finals (take place on December 27, first leg, and December 30, second leg).

However, this plan of coach Masatada Ishii suddenly encountered a huge shock when three important players Suphanat Mueanta, Pansa Hemviboon and Seksan Ratree had to return to Buriram United Club when the group stage matches had not yet ended. .

The AFF Cup tournament is not included in the FIFA Days calendar, so clubs are not obliged to release troops to their teams. Most important players called up must have an agreement from the club and federation.

The Malaysian team recently went through a similar situation, when up to 6 players had to return to the club, causing chaos in the squad and making it difficult for coaches to prepare for matches at the tournament. But they all have to accept it, because clubs cannot be forced to release players to the team.

For the Thai team, the absence of star player Suphanat Mueanta, with the possibility of not attending the AFF Cup 2024 semi-finals, will be a huge shock.

Suphanat Mueanta currently scored 3 goals and had 4 assists after 3 group stage matches for the Thai team. This 22-year-old midfielder, in his first AFF Cup appearance, showed extremely impressive performance and was twice selected as the best player of the match. Suphanat Mueanta is also making Thai fans completely forget star Chanathip Songkrasin.

Currently, the Thai Football Federation (FAT) has not commented on the absence of Suphanat Mueanta, veteran midfielder Pansa Hemviboon and midfielder Seksan Ratree. But it is also likely that, after appearing in matches with Buriram United Club, all three players will return to the Thai team. But the fact that they are not allowed to rest is making Thai fans extremely angry, because it will affect the competition in the semi-finals and possibly the final of the AFF Cup.

The Thai team currently still has its two best stars, Ekanit Panya (25 years old) and Supachok Sarachat (26 years old), who have not played any matches yet, because they need to recover physically after the season in Japan. In the semi-finals, they will have the opportunity to compete, according to coach Masatada Ishii.