Jonathan Khemdee is no longer attached to the Thai national team after the 32nd SEA Games. Photo: Minh Chien.
At noon on May 16 (Hanoi time), Khemdee wrote on her personal page: “Hello fans. The 32nd SEA Games final will be my last match with the Thai team. I thank you for your sincere affection. , your support and love during the past time.”
“Hopefully I will win the gold medal and play well in my last match for the national team. Thailand will always be in my heart. Since the first match, I have always given 100% to my family and friends. The fans are proud. It’s time to take the trophy home,” the Danish-born midfielder emphasized.
The reason behind Khemdee’s decision is unknown at this time. On May 9, Khemdee reunited with the whole team after completing his mission at the club. The defender missed the first three games in the group stage. He played in a 1-1 draw against U22 Vietnam and in a 3-0 win over U22 Indonesia in the 32nd SEA Games semi-finals.
Khemdee has a Danish father, Thai mother, and was called by Madam Pang and the Football Federation of Thailand (FAT) to play for the national team from 2021. He was summoned by coach Alexandre Polking to the list of matches. AFF Cup 2020 but suddenly had to return home at the beginning of the tournament due to stomach pain, missed the opportunity to win the championship with Thailand.
After the unfortunate incident, Khemdee returned and won the main kick in the Thailand U23 squad at the 31st SEA Games and the 2022 Asian U23. With the contribution of Khemdee and young Thai overseas players, U23 Thailand won a medal. silver at the 31st SEA Games, but failed to pass the group stage of the AFC U23 Championship 2022.
Earlier this year, he and Thailand U23 lost 0-1 to Kuwait in the third place match of the Doha Cup friendly tournament. Also in this tournament, Khemdee played a hero when he scored the only goal to help Thailand U23 beat Qatar 1-0 in the second match.
The height of 1.91 m gives the center-back with two Thai-Danish bloodlines an advantage in air combat situations and increases the certainty in the defense. At the club level, Khemdee parted ways with Odense Boldklub club in the Danish League in January 2023 to play for Ratchaburi in the Thai League.
Returning to Thailand, Khemdee has a better opportunity to develop when playing regularly. At the same time, he also got used to the hot weather in Southeast Asia. During the 31st SEA Games, Khemdee admitted that he had a lot of difficulties when training and competing in this weather.
Xiaofeng | 13:43 May 16, 2023
