The Thai Olympic team put up a commendable performance against Iran in the 1/8 round of the Asiad 19 men's soccer event held in Hangzhou, China. Despite a 0-2 loss, Coach Issara Sritaro expressed optimism about the team's future and vowed improvement in the upcoming Asian tournament.
In the match against the Iranian Olympic team, the Thai Olympic squad displayed a strong performance. However, they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat, primarily due to errors and lapses in concentration, coupled with the high-level play of their opponents.
Coach Issara Sritaro commented on the match, stating, "We had a very good match, but lost because of mistakes and loss of concentration. The Thai Olympics could have continued if there were no mistakes."
The two goals conceded by the Thai Olympic team can be attributed to a poor goal kick by the goalkeeper early in the match and an indecisive clearance by a defender towards the end, resulting in a penalty and the second goal for Iran.
Despite the disappointment, Coach Sritaro praised his young players, emphasizing their excellent performance and expressing the importance of learning from their mistakes to mature as a team.
Regarding the team's current state, Coach Sritaro acknowledged that the Thai Olympic team faced challenges due to the absence of key players who were engaged in professional club competitions. He looked ahead to the U23 Asian Championship in the coming year, anticipating a stronger and more balanced team.
Coach Sritaro emphasized that the Thai Olympic team did not set specific performance targets for Asiad 19 and viewed the loss to Iran in the 1/8 round as a valuable learning experience. He expressed his commitment to working with clubs to release players for the national team, with the aim of strengthening the team for future competitions.
