Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang said yesterday he wanted his men to prove their recent win over China was no fluke when they take on Barcelona in a friendly next month.
Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang, right, poses with officials from Thai Beverage Marketing and the Football Association of Thailand at yesterday’s press conference.
Thailand beat China 5-1 in Hefei in a warm-up match last month. The win led to a fans' riot and Jose Antonio Camacho being sacked as China coach.
"Many people still think it was a fluke," Kiatisak told a press conference.
"We will play against Barcenola like we did against China."
Thailand will meet the Spanish champions at Rajamangala National Stadium on Aug 7 and Kiatisak said his squad will be a mixture of players from the full national and SEA Games (under-23) teams.
The team will be led by striker Teerasil Dangda, goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool and defender Teerathorn Bunmathan.
"Barcelona have several world-class players such as Lionel Messi and Neymar and our players will get a great experience," he said.
Teerathorn is likely to be assigned to mark Messi, said Kiatisak.
Meanwhile, Thai Beverage Marketing has promised to give the national team one million baht per goal they score against Barcelona.
ThaiBev, producer of Chang beer and a sponsor of Barcelona, is organising several activities in the run-up to the Aug 7 game.
For more information, go to www.facebook.com/changworld or www.liveyourlife.in.th