Thailand star Chanathip Songkrasin ruled out of King's Cup due to injury

The midfielder played a crucial role in the War Elephants' run in the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

Thailand's star footballer Chanathip Songkrasin has pulled off due to an injury, and won't be available for selection in the King's Cup. Chanathip got a muscle injury while training for J1 League side Consadole Sapporo.

Chanathip is one of the standout players of a young and rising Thailand side. He plies his trade in Japan. He already has a goal and two assists in the 13 league games, he played this season. Thailand faces Vietnam in the tournament opener of the Kings Cup, and Chanathip was expected to join the Thai team after the league game of his club Consadole Sapporo.

The league game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima was to be Chanathip's final before bid adieu for the national camp. But the 25-year-old pulled off a muscle injury, and now won't be available for selection under Sirisak Yodyardthai.

The Kings Cup has India, Vietnam, Curacao and home side Thailand as the participants. Vietnam faces Thailand in the first game while the other two teams will battle it out in the second. The winners of the two games would play the final, and the losing teams will play the third place play-off.

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According to a statement released by the Football Association of Thailand, Chanathip has torn his left leg's muscle. He tore it during the training session with his club on May 28. The midfielder now won't be available throughout the tournament.

This would be a huge blow for the Thai side that lost to India 4-1 in their first game of the AFC Asian Cup with Chanathip playing.

“I was hurt the training session. During the last three days, I had felt better and tried to continue training. But after feeling the pain again, the tests confirmed there was a ripped tendon and I have to sit out at least 1 week,” Chanathip said.

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“I wanted to play against Sanfrecce to show the club that I was fit to play for Thailand. But the club said that it was not possible and they do not want me to take risks. So, I had to withdraw from the Thailand squad and take rest,” he told FAThailand.org.

“I regret it because I personally wanted to help the Thai national team and want to meet friends, family and fans. Although this King’s Cup may be difficult, I believe everyone can work together to help Thailand win,” he concluded.