Published on Aug 4, 2001

[SOCCER] The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) yesterday announced it was giving a Bt50,000 monthly salary to every player whose contract has been terminated while playing for the national team.

Worawit Makudi, the secretary-general of FAT, said the association would support each player until he could find a new club.

Surachai Jirasirichote's contract with the S League's Woodlands Wellington was ended just before he played for the Kingdom against Manchester United.

Although the salary only half of what Surachai earned from his former club, it comes as some consolation to him.

Choketawee Promrat is also in a difficult position, as his club - Gombak United - will not release him to join the national squad.

The luckiest players are those who play for Sembawang Rangers. They are Tawan Sripan, Tawatchai Damrong-ongtrakul and Niwes Siriwong, whose clubs have given them full cooperation.

"Sembawang will still pay them while playing for the national side. At same time they will receive training allowances from the FAT as well," said Worawi.

Tawatchai Sajjakul, the former team manager of the national team and now the co-ordinator from the government, quoted the FAT president Vijit Getkaew.

"Vijit told me that if Thailand lose in the first two matches, the FAT will release the six S League players back to their respective clubs," said Tawatchai.

Meanwhile, the Sports Authority of Thailand has finally agreed to pay the Bt1.7-million prize money for the Provincial League.

In yesterday's GSM Thai League matches, the Police and Rattana Bundit Bangkok fought out a 1-1 draw.

Ekkavit Jai-nuan put Rattana Bandit ahead in the 77th minute. But four minutes before the final whistle, Chaiyut Juangphan netted an equaliser for the Police.

In the other match, Osotspa beat Bangkok Bank 3-1 to move into second spot. All of the goals came in the second half, through Paitoon Thiabma (54th minute), Kobdetch Chopmanotham (69th) and Kittisak Jaiharn (76th). Wasan Nathasan scored a consolation for the bankers in the 51st minute.

Inamoto misses opener

nIn Tokyo, Japan international Junichi Inamoto looks set to miss Arsenal's Premier League opener against Middlesbrough if he is called up for Japan's friendly against Australia on August 15, Japanese newspapers reported yesterday.

Inamoto, who came on as a late substitute in Arsenal's 1-0 loss to AS Roma in Austria in a pre-season match on Wednesday, will be doubtful for the Middlesbrough game at the Riverside Stadium on August 18 if he makes the trip to Japan, according to the Nikkan Sports daily.

Komkrit Napalai

THE NATION