Hudson backs Thailand squad ahead of King’s Cup in Sri Sa Ket

Thailand head coach Anthony Hudson has backed his selected squad to perform at the King’s Cup in Sri Sa Ket from 14–17 November, saying a demanding fixture schedule should not become an excuse for the national team.

Speaking after announcing his squad, the English coach said he was satisfied with the group and confident the players could deliver, according to the Bangkok Post. His preparations have involved balancing the War Elephants’ needs with those of clubs facing their own competitive commitments.

“I am excited to work with this group and truly believe that they will be able to perform well and make us proud,” Hudson said.

Balancing national and club commitments

Hudson acknowledged that finalising the squad had presented challenges, but said discussion and criticism of national-team selections were normal. Every training camp required extensive consideration, he said, and producing a squad that satisfied everyone was never straightforward.

His emphasis was on adapting to the circumstances rather than seeking an ideal set of conditions. He said the selected players were prepared to compete despite the constraints surrounding the match calendar.

The coach also stressed the need to work with domestic clubs, specifically pointing to the demands of the Asean Club Championship and AFC Champions League. Success for Thai clubs in those competitions benefited the wider game, he said, making cooperation an important part of national-team planning.

“Therefore, it is essential to maintain a balance and work in cooperation with the clubs at all times,” he said.

Provincial fans in focus

The King’s Cup will take the national team to Sri Sa Ket for the four-day tournament. Hudson said playing in the provinces was an important way for the side to connect with supporters across Thailand.

He welcomed the enthusiasm shown by people in Sri Sa Ket and said the players were looking forward to appearing in front of the local crowd. His comments placed the provincial visit alongside the team’s competitive preparations as a valued part of the national side’s role.

More preparation time for Asian Cup

Looking beyond the King’s Cup, Hudson also welcomed what he described as the postponement of the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, saying the additional time could help Thailand prepare.

He said a longer build-up would allow more opportunity to assemble the strongest possible squad, improve preparations and spend time together as a group. For the immediate tournament, however, his message was that he was comfortable with the players selected and expected them to be ready to compete.