Thai Soccer Chief: England Mulling Thai Friendly

The FA, which recommended former Leeds and Sunderland boss Reid to the Thai federation, was willing to help Thai soccer.

England's Football Association (FA) has pledged to send its national team to Thailand next year to play a friendly match, according to the Southeast Asian Kingdom's soccer president.

Worawai Makudi, a FIFA executive committee member, said he met recently with FA board director David Richards, who expressed interest in arranging a one-off match against the Thai national team, now coached by former England midfielder Peter Reid.

"He pledged to send the England team to play against us. Thailand will be the only destination on that trip," Worawi told Tuesday's Daily Xpress newspaper.

"I'm delighted we will get the opportunity to watch England for the first time."

The FA, which recommended former Leeds and Sunderland boss Reid to the Thai federation, was willing to help Thai soccer "in every aspect", Worawi added, without elaborating.

The English game is hugely popular in Thailand, with most fans preferring to watch the England team rather than their own national side.