Thailand team offered big bonus for Asian Cup final

The Football Association of Thailand has announced big financial incentives for its national football team's success in the AFC Asian Cup tournament next month. FAT is offering a bonus of Bt 18 million if the team makes it to the Cup Final being played in Jakarta on 29 July. "Winning the Asian Cup is a huge task, but if the team advances to the quarter-finals, they will get a special bonus of Bt 3 million cash," FAT president Worawi Makudi said. "If they continue their fine run to reach the semi-finals, they will receive Bt 5 million. If they make it to the final, a special bonus of Bt 10 million will be awarded," he publicly confirmed.

Thailand's Asian Cup squad left for intensive training in Germany on Thursday. They are due to return on 25 June in preparation for a warm-up match against Qatar on 30 June. National head coach Chanwit Polchivin said before the team's departure that the 23-day training stint would sharpen their skills. "Training overseas will be beneficial. There, we will focus on special tactics and gaining strength and stamina," he said. "The competition is one of the toughest. I want my players to concentrate throughout each game and show good teamwork. We need to build the physical strength of each player."