Yeah it's just the powers that be being their incompetent selves... I wasn't too familiar with why or how Thailand got suspended. I think it's tremendously harsh and having been the victim of FIFA and the AFC on an number of occasions I feel for you guys.
1) The AFC disciplinary code explicity states (Article 38 (2b)) that where a player's suspension is "not served during the competition for which they were intended (elimination or the last match in the competition) are carried over as follows" "AFC competitions subject to an age limit: carried over to the representative team’s next official match in the same age group. Where the suspension cannot be served in the same age group, it shall be carried over to the next highest age category;" 2) The AFC recognise the age limits of: u-16, u-19, Olympic qualification and Full (open age). The suspension should be served in Thailand's next u-19 match - unless the player was too old by then. As the player (Sutjarit Jantakol) was born on 4 March 1989, that made him too old for the 2010 U-19 qualification started - neede to have been born in 1991 or later - so the suspension carried over to the next Olympic qualification match, as that is the next age group up. That I believe is what has happened. I am not sure where this U21/U23 distinction you speak of comes up. The AFC doesn't have an "U-21" level. The problem obviously is that Olympic qualification is on a 4-year cycle, while the U-19 etc is an a 2 year cycle. So the last Olympic cycle (for Thailand) finished in June 2007 - not only before the 2008 U-19 comp where the ban was picked up, but there has been a whole other U-19 cycle in between. So it seems weird that the ban could hang around so long - but is just an unfortunate timing thing (which probably explains why the FAT didn't pick it up before selecting the player). As you yourself note "surely the FAT could point to any FIFA/AFC fixture for which he was eligible in the past 3 years as serving his ban?". The problem is that under the AFC's own rules there haven't been any. The last eligible match for serving the ban was 6 June 2007 against India - before the suspension. Only other Olympic qualifiers since then would suffice according to the rules. The obvious question then is "what if the player had been selected to play in the Thai Men's team" (say in the 2010 WC quals, or the 2011 Asian Cup quals). This is certainly a grey area in the rules - but surely it exists in every confederation. And you could make the same comment on a player who gets a suspension in the U-16 tournament; that suspension will only pass when the u19 team plays a qualifier (or final presumbly), not when the Men's team plays a match - even if the FAT claimed they would have liked to have picked the player for the adult match. But while that is a problem with the rules, it doesn't change the fact that the rules - as stated - have been applied correctly here. Nothing sinister at all, just the rules straight from the rule book as agreed to be the FAT when they were introduced. J
16. May Olympic NT friendly Kuwait - Bahrain http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=305851
Syria must play their round 2 game on neutral soil http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournamen...a-to-nominate-neutral-venue-for-oly-qualifier
The Thailand getting kicked out affair is starting to hot up. The AFC say the Asian Games had nothing to do with them, they are now accepting that they supervised the tournament - so it is something to do with them. The AFC are also admitting their failures in not keep records of suspended players. This is the ebst thing to come out of this case to help others in the future. Anyway, Thai FA are taking in the the CAS Court. But don't worry Palestine friends, I don't think it will be overturned (again) but more of a show from Thai FA as they have an election coming up and they want to be seen to be doing things. It's not the first time Thailand have broken the rules at this age level so they should really be told to sit down in the corner and think of their past and future conduct. There's a bit of an article here on it http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/238088/worawi-sets-june-17-as-election-date but I don't really expect things to move.
Our reports are saying that from next week our Olympic team will play friendly matches with Holland, Albania and Israel in a tournament in Innsbruck, Austria. But couldn't find any other external news who are confirming this news. 27 May: UZB - Holland 30 May: UZB - Israel 3 June: UZB- Albania http://www.the-uff.com/index.php?act=news§ion=11&subsec=29&news_id=4185
27 May: FM U21 UZB 0-1 Albania (Other match of the group: Netherlands 2-0 Israel) There was a change in schedule
check the china forum yo. it was 0-0 final score. heard the saudi arabian defence held the chinese team quite well.
South China Morning Post We'll settle for a draw in Uzbekistan, says HK coach ahead of qualifier Chan Kin-wa Hong Kong would be happy with a draw when they take on home side Uzbekistan in the 2012 London Olympics Asian zone qualifying tournament in Tashkent today. "It's always difficult in an away match," said coach Liu Chun-fai, who left with the Under-23 squad for the Central Asian state on Wednesday to acclimatise. "We have to play against a good side, against the fans, against the weather. It would not be a bad result if we can return with a draw and beat them in the home match." Hong Kong beat Maldives 7-0 on aggregate in preliminary round one to set up a clash against the former Soviet Union state in a two-leg second round match. The return leg will take place at the Hong Kong Stadium on Thursday. Liu only took up the job two weeks ago after interim coach Tsang Wai-chung quit due to personal problems. But the former Hong Kong international is no stranger to the team, working as assistant to South Korean Kim Pan-gon, the Hong Kong team coach from 2009 to 2010. "I know the players well as I have worked with them before at either club or international level," said Liu, who quit as South China assistant team manager for the job. "We also have assistant coaches who have been taking care of the team since it was set up. "Against the home team, we need to defend well as Uzbekistan will certainly put everything into attack. But I have studied some video of their play and they are not very strong in defence. If we can hold them, we will have a chance to score with fast counter attacks. "But of course a draw will be an ideal result in the away match." With few injury problems, Hong Kong will be able to start with a full team featuring players with First Division experience such as Yapp Hung-fai, Lau Nim-yat, Yeung Chi-lun, Chak Ting-fung, Au Yeung Yiu-chung and To Hon-to. The match at Jar Stadium kicks off in the evening to avoid the stifling heat of the day, Liu said. kinwa.chan@scmp.com