Aichi prefecture: The Thai national football team, known as the "War Elephants," has wasted no time in preparing for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games, commencing training immediately upon their arrival in Japan. This proactive approach is aimed at ensuring the team is ready for their first match against Kyrgyzstan, scheduled for Wednesday, September 16.
According to Thai News Agency, the team arrived in Aichi Prefecture with a clear focus on acclimatizing to the local weather conditions and prioritizing physical recovery. The captain, Chonphat Buaphan, expressed his readiness and confidence, citing an intense pre-season with his club as a foundation for his current physical condition. He shared his excitement and commitment to lead the team effectively, emphasizing a match-by-match approach to achieve their collective goal of advancing beyond the group stages.
The "War Elephants" are positioned in Group A, alongside Japan, Kyrgyzstan, and Hong Kong. The tournament format involves a round-robin competition, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stages. The Thai team is set to play all their group matches at Toyota Stadium, starting with their opening match against Kyrgyzstan on September 16th at 2:00 PM, followed by games against Hong Kong on September 20th at 2:00 PM, and Japan on September 23rd at 5:30 PM.
In his message to fans, Chonphat Buaphan called for the support of Thai football enthusiasts, underscoring the importance of their cheers in motivating the team throughout the tournament.