After suffering defeat at the SEA Games, the Thai coach declared intentions to 'correct mistakes' at the AFC U23 Championship.

After the setback at SEA Games 33, the Football Association of Thailand convened a session to reflect and aimed to help the Thailand U23 squad regain honor at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

After failing to meet expectations at SEA Games 33, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) organized a comprehensive evaluation meeting to assess the performance of the Thailand U23 team and to discuss preparation plans for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 6 to 24, 2026.

The meeting took place at the FAT headquarters, chaired by FAT Vice President Charnwit Polcheewin, with the participation of football legend Piyapong Pue-on, Secretary General Ekaphol Polnavi, U23 head coach Thawatchai (Coach Wang), and the entire coaching staff.

Following the session, Coach Thawatchai stated that the entire team thoroughly analyzed the issues encountered at the SEA Games, covering training, player selection, and psychological preparation.

“We have fully presented the weaknesses and the reasons why the team did not achieve the expected results. The key is to correct these mistakes moving forward to the AFC U23 Championship. For the next training camp, we will strive to maximize training effectiveness,” Coach Thawatchai explained.

The Thai head coach admitted that the team faces challenges with the squad due to some players being injured or having club commitments, but he affirmed they will still select the strongest lineup for the upcoming tournament.

“We will keep the core players from the SEA Games squad while adding standout young talents from the U21 level and the national league. These new players will have chances to prove themselves in friendly matches before heading to Saudi Arabia,” he added.

Coach Thawatchai emphasized that the immediate goal is to reach the quarterfinals, but the team must prepare thoroughly both physically and mentally to face strong opponents in Group D.

“Although disappointed at the SEA Games, the players’ fighting spirit remains intact. Thai football must keep moving forward. The AFC U23 Championship is the starting point for a long-term plan targeting the Asian Games and future SEA Games,” he affirmed.

According to the plan, the 23-player Thailand U23 roster will be announced this week. The team will gather on December 29, 2025, before departing for Saudi Arabia on January 3, 2026.

The 2026 AFC U23 Championship is regarded as a crucial test for Thailand’s youth football, as well as an opportunity for FAT to evaluate coaching quality, training processes, and development direction for the next generation of the national team.