King's Cup Squad: Theerathon Back, Chanathip Rested

Thailand coach Anthony Hudson has named a 23-man King's Cup squad that brings back veteran left wing-back Theerathon Bunmathan. Chanathip Songkrasin is left out so he can rest, the Bangkok Post reported on November 4. The 52nd King's Cup takes place at Sri Sa Ket Provincial Stadium in the northeast from November 14 to 17.

Who is in and who is out

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) announced the squad on November 3. Key points:

• Theerathon Bunmathan returns to the national team;
• Weerathep Pomphan and Suphanat Mueanta are also named;
• Chanathip Songkrasin is not included, because Hudson wanted to rest him;
• Peeradol Chamrasamee is left out because his club, Port, play in the Shopee Cup after the King's Cup.

Suphanat back after injury

Suphanat, who plays for Omiya Ardija in Japan, is back in the national team for the first time in about one year and eight months after a long injury, Thairath reported. Hudson said Omiya agreed that the forward will join the squad for the final only, so that he does not rush straight from club duty to Sisaket with a recurring injury.

"He is a player I know fans want to see back representing the national team and wearing this jersey again," Hudson said, according to Thairath. He thanked the FAT and the clubs of Suphanat and Supachok Sarachat for their support.

Hudson said Theeraphat Prueathong and Supachok will join the camp from the first day of the FIFA international window.

Camp and schedule

Players must report to the Novotel Future Park Rangsit hotel at 1pm on Monday, November 9, and training starts that evening. That gives Hudson almost five days with the group before the first match, the Bangkok Post said.

According to Thairath, the matches on Saturday, November 14 are:

• Oman vs Tajikistan, 4pm;
• Thailand vs Brunei, 7.30pm.

The final is on Tuesday, November 17. Tickets cost 200 to 500 baht and are sold online through theconcert.com. Matches will be shown live on Thairath TV Channel 32 and the TrueVisions Now app, Thairath reported.

Why it matters

The King's Cup is a key home test for Hudson's team during the FIFA window. Fans will be watching to see how Theerathon fits back into the defence and whether Suphanat is fit for the final.

More Thai football: Asian Cup postponed, Ratchaburi vs Vissel Kobe and Port FC beat Beijing 7-4.

Photo: Sri Sa Ket Provincial Stadium, by Taradon.t / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. File photo.