According to the plan, Thailand will meet Timor Leste in the opening match of Group A at 8:00 p.m. on December 8 at Hang Day Stadium (live on VTV Can Tho ). Because Timor Leste does not have a stadium that meets the competition standards of the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF), they must rent a stadium in Vietnam.
In this trip to Vietnam, the Thai team only had 16 players with coach Masatada Ishii. Among them, the most outstanding player was Suphanat Mueanta. In the friendly match that won 2-1 against Vietnam in September at My Dinh Stadium, this 22-year-old striker was the author of the equalizer 1-1, before Patrik Gustavsson sealed the victory for Thailand.
The Thai team (right) is still formidable despite missing many key players.
Meanwhile, other players such as defenders Suphanan Bureerat, Chalermsak Aukkee, midfielders Peeradon Chamratsamee, Worachit Kanitsribampen and striker Teerasak Poeiphimai flew from Singapore, having just played with Port FC against Lion City Sailors and lost 2-5 in the final round of the AFC Champions League Two group stage.
Goalkeeper Kampol Pathomakkakul, defender Jonathan Khemdee and Apisit Sorada are present after playing for Ratchaburi against Buriram United in the Thai League 1 on December 8. Two players currently playing in Japan, Ekanit Panya (Urawa Red Diamonds) and Supachok Sarachat (Consadole Sapporo), will join the team on December 10.
Regarding the lack of full strength even though the tournament has already started, Mr. Ishii said: "We have been aware of this for 3 months and have had plans to deal with it. We not only focus on Thai players but also young players. After the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, we realized that this is the time to find a new generation for the Thai team. We are doing this."
Regarding the preparation for the opening match, coach Masatada Ishii shared: "We have been preparing for the tournament since December 2 and now the players are ready for the tournament."
Meanwhile, Timor Leste coach Simon Elissetche said: "We have prepared thoroughly. In addition, we are also in good conditions. The whole team is trying their best for the opening match. We know we will face a strong opponent, ranked No. 1 in Southeast Asia, but our team has good players and will try their best for the match."
Revealing the squad participating in this tournament, coach Simon Elissetche said: "Most of our squad plays in the domestic league. In addition, there are 7 or 8 players playing in Cambodia, Brunei or Indonesia...".
At 5:00 p.m., the match in Group A between Cambodia and Malaysia will take place (live on VTV5).
Free tickets to watch matches at Hang Day Stadium
The match between defending champion Thailand and Timor Leste at Hang Day Stadium ( Hanoi ) at 8:00 p.m. on December 8 and Timor Leste vs. Singapore on December 14 will have free admission.
It is known that the plan to issue tickets to watch the AFF Cup 2024 matches will be implemented by the host country's football federation. However, for various reasons, the Timor Leste Football Federation has no plan to sell tickets.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mien-phi-ve-xem-thai-lan-ra-quan-o-hang-day-khan-gia-viet-nam-dung-bo-lo-185241207201429695.htm
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