Last day of the AFC 3rd round qualification for the World Cup in 2014 and it is All or None for Thailand. Oman is to host Thailand and Saudi Arabia  travels "down under". Up to now Australia is the only team, already secured a place in a final fourth round.

While open Germany's newspaper "Bild" on Tuesday, a smile flashed our face. Thailand's national coach Winfried Schafer was to be seen there. On an elephant. The headline announced: > "Winnie propels the elephant to the World Cup". < Unfortunately with this headline, the popular daily virtually, used our headline which we had in mind for 2021. Of course still nothing is decided yet ahead of the Thais crucial clash vs Oman this Wednesday. However all signs are against Thailand.

After Thailand lost to South Korea in the opening game of the 41st King's Cup on last Sunday, Winnie's eleven need to win against Norway, to stay in the tournament. However, missing fitness and injured players do not make things easy for Schafer. Not enough, with Sompong Soleb a player has "kicked" itself out of the squad today.

Sompong Soleb (Buriram FC) is no longer part of the King's Cup squad. And according to Schafer, he will never again be considered for the national team, as long as he is in charge. On Wednesday the striker produced headlines when he was taken up in the early morning by the police under alcohol at the wheel. According to reports he has driven his girlfriend to work and unauthorized went away from the player's hotel. The amount of alcohol which was proved, was more than permitted.

For the 41st King's Cup, taking place from 15 to 21 January in Bangkok, Thailand announced his preliminary squad today. The squad for the three other participants are already certain. While Denmark and Norway sending a League XI, South Korea is going to send his U23.

While Winfried Schafer still stays on holiday, today Thailand announced his temporary squad for the traditional tournament. The squad is composed of 23 players who have been already named for the world cup qualifier against Australia in November. In addition, Schafer named 10 more players including two U19 internationals. Those are Narubadin Weerawatnodom and Adisak Klinkosum. Both played a successful qualification for the Asian Championship 2012 in November last year. Both obviously convinced the coaching duo Schafer/Surachai.

There are games, they cause different opinions. The goal less draw between Thailand and Saudi Arabia in the third game of the World Cup Qualifying stage, belongs with no doubt.

Should there be gladness and satisfaction about the fact Thailand came away with one point from the tie against Saudi Arabia or not, should there be praise about the performance or should it be demonise? Probably nothing to fit that really and the truth may lies in the middle. After Thailand showed good performances against Oman and Australia, some may made a thick to this game. Particularly as the Saudis did not knew to be convincing against Oman and Australia. However, Frank Rijkard's team showed clearly improved against the Thais. On both side chances were rare to seen. Thailand did not play bad, at least until they reached the edges of the visitors box. Within the same clever finish was missed not only on one occasion.

After last weeks friendly against Jordan, Thailand is going to face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in a crucial world cup qualifying game of group D. Winfried Schaefer is having all players aboard and can draw on unlimited resources.

Though the goalles draw against Jordan sounds a bit cheerless, Winnie was able to draw a few good points out of the warm-up. Beside the regular a few rare starters got their chance to shine. Thailand did well against a physically strong side from Jordan, however, once missed a few clear chances in front of the goal. In the second half Sarawut Masuk gave his debut for the national team and knew to impress. Sarawut, under contract with third Division side Chamchuree United, played in the same classes like Kawin and Theeraton a few years back.