Thailand "50:50" to beat Everton says manager

Thailand has a slim chance against Everton in the first match of the FA Premier Asia Trophy Amazing Thailand 2005, manager Tawatchai Sajjakul believes. After seeing the draw, in which Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City play in the second match, Tawatchai said he was sure Thailand will give Everton a fight and had a good chance of winning.

“The Thai national team usually does well when playing against English teams. So I guess you can say our chances of winning are 50-50,” he said.

Worawi Makudi, general secretary of the Football Association of Thailand, English Premier League chairman David Richards and Tawatchai Sajjakul, made the draw at the Radisson Hotel yesterday.

According to The Nation, Thailand take on “the Toffees” at Rajamangala Stadium on July 20. Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City take to the field after this match. The tournament is purely a knockout format, with the winners playing for the title on July 23. The losers will play for third place.

Ray Hall, Everton FC Academy manager, and his staff have arrived in Thailand to train Thai coaches and select three local youngsters to receive scholarships from Chang Beer in the Rising Star Project 2. That will take place at BEC Tero Sasana Stadium in Nong Chok, Min Buri from July 8-10