The Thai national football team brought the kingdom great joy when their performance gave them the chance to enter Asia’s final qualifying round (the best 12 teams) for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin (Jay) is one of the key players who has strengthened the Thai team.
Jay may be only 158 centimetres tall, but he stands out as a quick footballer who can play brilliantly with both feet and make precise passing attacks. Due to his impressive skills, the 22-year-old has won several awards including the best player at 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup and Thairath TV’s People's Choice Footballer Awards.
From the age of four, Jay was trained by his dad who was determined to make him a professional footballer. The strict training helped Jay to develop his skills and his own style until he was selected as a national player when he was 18 years old.
Student Weekly recently met up with Jay at the field of BEC-Tero Sasana, his team in the Thai Football League. Jay told us about his career and offered advice for young people.