Jay is ready for his big match
By Sukrit Khaepimpan and Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb and courtesy of Bangkok Post
Did you know
Jay's favourite online games are Hon, DotA and Point Blank.
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.
Student Weekly: What was your childhood dream job?
Jay: I never had any dream job. At the age of four, I had no idea about football, but my dad trained me because he wanted me to be a professional football player. After training for years, it’s in my blood.
Student Weekly: Before being successful, you sometimes got insulted. Have you ever felt discouraged?
Jay: I was sometimes looked down on because people thought I was too short. I had to show them that I could play well. I occasionally felt discouraged, but I couldn’t give up. Football is the most valuable thing in my life. I’m most happy when I’m playing. I had to continually improve until my day came.
Student Weekly: Which is your favourite goal so far?
Jay: Every goal is impressive. I’m happy when either I made a shot myself or passed the ball to my teammates to score. I scored against Malaysia last year. Our team didn’t give up until we won the AFF Suzuki Cup.
Student Weekly: Why isn’t the performance of BEC-Tero Sasana as good as the national team?
Jay: The main players of the team got injured, and substitute players can’t fill their shoes. Some good players were sold by the club. There are some changes but they’re not all bad.
Student Weekly: Is there any skill you would like to improve?
Jay: My weakness is my shots on goal. I rarely try to shoot at the goal. Mostly, I pass to my teammates. It’s been like this since I was young. I’m not confident. I’m afraid if my shot misses the goal, others will complain.
Student Weekly: How likely is it that the Thai team will go the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia?
Jay: I’d like to say 100 percent because we all want to be there. Every time we play, we aim for victory. We also want Thai people to be happy. If we lose, Thais will be sad. Now we’re working match by match. There’s a chance for us to become one of the 12 Asian teams in Russia.
Student Weekly: Is it possible for you to move to another club in the Thai league?
Jay: I’ve been with BEC-Tero Sasana for five years. The club won’t sell me. I’m still happy with the club and haven’t thought about moving anywhere.
Student Weekly: Is there any football league abroad you want to join?
Jay: I want to go to J League (Japan) or K League (South Korea). Their standards are higher than ours. I want to find a new challenge. It may strengthen me mentally, physically and technically.
Student Weekly: Is it true that you like to read novels from Jamsai Publishing?
Jay: Yes. I’ve read them since I was in Rajdamnern Commercial College. I often skipped class to read cartoons and Jamsai’s stories. The novels make me concentrate and allow me to use my imagination. They’re fun.
Student Weekly: What’s your advice for young people who want to be professional footballers?
Jay: They must be determined, try hard and overcome difficulties to achieve their dreams. Everybody encounters difficulties. There’s no shortcut to success. You must fight for your dream.
Vocabulary
- insult (v): to say something that makes somebody feel bad
give up (phrasal v): to stop trying to do something
shortcut (n): a quicker way of doing something in order to save time or effort
determined (adj): you have made a firm decision to do something and you will not let anybody stop you - Idioms
in one's blood: to be a natural part of your character
fill somebody's shoes: to do somebody’s job when they are not there
