“What the two players (Chanathip and Supachok – PV) need to do is learn the football philosophy of the coaches in Japan as well as the football culture there. Chanathip needs to be more agile, make more forward passes. He needs to read the game carefully and stay in the right position,” Witthaya Laohakul told Khaosod.
Chanathip and Supachok both have difficulties in cherry blossom country. J1 League this season has undergone 4 rounds but Chanathip has not yet played in the colors of Kawasaki Frontale club. He only played one match in the 2023 J League Cup when Kawasaki Frontale lost 2-3 to Shimizu S-Pulse on March 8. The Thai player scored 1 goal in that match but did not win the trust of coach Toru Oniki. Meanwhile, Supachok only played 2 minutes in J1 League 2023 for Consadole Sapporo club.
“Supachok’s case is the same. He has to try to adapt to the style of play in Japan. Supachok needs to meet the requirements of the coach. Maybe the coach sees his potential. In fact, Supachok can kick in 2-3 different positions, “said Witthaya Laohakul.
Chonburi Club Technical Director emphasized Chanathip and Supachok must fight to win the starting spot. According to Mr. Witthaya Laohakul, the two Thai players are not allowed to give up, need to practice hard and be ready to compete when given the opportunity.
Witthaya Laohakul (69 years old) used to be a famous player of Thailand. In 1977, Mr. Witthaya Laohakul became the first Thai player to play in Japan when he joined Yanmar Diesel Club (the predecessor team of Cerezo Osaka). He scored 14 goals in 33 matches in Japan.
Two years later, Witthaya Laohakul became the first Thai player to play in the Bundesliga when he moved to Hertha Berlin.
After a period of war in Europe, Witthaya Laohakul returned to Japan to play for Matsushita Club in 1986. Witthaya Laohakul is considered the most elite Southeast Asian player to ever play in the country of the rising sun.
Nguyen Son | 05:25 Mar 14, 2023
