Thai side drops injured Sasalak, counts on Pathum ace Airfan

Masatada Ishii, the coach of Thailand, has named Airfan Doloh as a replacement for Sasalak Haiprakhon, who has withdrawn from the national team with an injury.

After a warm-up against Afghanistan on Friday, the War Elephants open their quest for a spot in the AFC Asian Cup finals with a qualifying round tie versus Sri Lanka four days later.

The two matches will be held at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

Sasalak limped out of a Thai League 1 match on Sunday night with a groin injury as a left wing-back for Buriram United.

BG Pathum United’s Airfan has been called in by Ishii and his coaching staff to replace him.

On Tuesday, he joined the national team training camp.

Both matches will be broadcast live on Thai Rath TV (32) and BG Sports YouTube channel.

Buriram ready for battle

Buriram United coach Chonchanok Chidchob has declared they are set to produce a few surprises after the Thunder Castle outfit were drawn to face Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals of the Elite AFC Champions League.

The Thunder Castle will be the only remaining team of the Land of Smiles.

The vice president of the Buriram United club said in a statement: “Getting to the quarter-finals of the tournament is our dream come true but we would like to take this journey further.

“We hope to keep surprising everybody in this competition. In sports, they say anything can happen.”