Thai coach comments on 9-0 victory in AFF championship

Despite thrashing Brunei U19 9-0 in the opening game of the 2026 ASEAN U19 tournament, Thailand U19's coach Jakkraphan Panpee noted various weaknesses and set his sights on defeating Singapore in the next round.

Although Thailand U19 made an impressive start with a 9-0 victory against Brunei U19 at the 2026 AFF U19 Championship, head coach Jakkraphan Panpee insisted his players still have areas to work on ahead of upcoming challenges.

Speaking after the game, the manager of the "Young War Elephants" commended the team's spirit and hard work in securing all three points in their opening match. "The players performed excellently and accomplished our objectives. Scoring many goals is a just reward for their efforts and the entire coaching staff's hard work over the past period."

However, the Thai tactician asserted that the heavy scoreline does not equate to a flawless display. In his view, Thailand U19 still has deficiencies in attacking organization and finishing that require prompt correction. "We scored many goals but there were still errors. The team needs to diversify its methods of reaching the goal and must capitalize on opportunities more efficiently. The players missed quite a few situations that could have become goals."

Coach Jakkraphan also mentioned that the heavy rain made the first half challenging for Thailand U19. Nevertheless, the players adapted well and kept up their dominant play, resulting in the most emphatic victory of the tournament so far.

Aiming for the next fixture against Singapore U19 on June 5, the Thailand U19 head coach stressed that the team's objective stays the same. "We must keep winning three points. For now, the coaching staff will evaluate the players' fitness, checking for any signs of fatigue or injury to select the best team for the next match."

Wrapping up the interview, Coach Jakkraphan Panpee expressed gratitude to the fans who have always supported the Thai youth team. "I would like to thank all the fans for continuously following and supporting the team. I believe the players feel that backing, and it serves as a tremendous source of motivation for the entire squad."