AFC Asian Cup 2019: Thailand goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan ruled out tournament
Thailand
have been dealt with a major blow after it was confirmed that their star
goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan is to miss the AFC Asian Cup 2019 due to an
injury.
Kawin
was one of the four players playing in the foreign leagues to have been added
to Milovan Rajevac’s side for the Asian Cup after their disappointing semifinal
exit in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018.
The
28-year-old had been missing from action for his club side OH Leuven of Belgium
since October after suffering from a foot injury, but was included in Rajevac’s
27-man squad for the Asian Cup which is to begin in the United Arab Emirates on
January 5.
However,
contrary to expectations, Kawin has been unable to recover in time for the
continental championship and will now miss out on the tournament.
“it is
now 100 per cent sure that I cannot recover from my injury. So, I would like to
say thank you to all of the Thailand fans for supporting me in the difficult
moment,” the goalkeeper said announcing the news.
“However, I
think our Thailand squad right now is good enough to start the biggest
tournament in Asia in two week and I think we can go trough to the knockout
stages,” Kawin said.
Bangkok
Glass custodian kept the goal for the War Elephants in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018
and he is now expected to continue to be under the bar for Thailand who will
open their Asian Cup campaign against India on January 6.
Thailand
will then face Bahrain on January 10 before taking on hosts UAE on January 14.
