by Wanchai Rujawongsanti
Bangkok Post 23rd December, 2001
Rising star Teerathep ``Leesaw'' Vinothai, who scored the golden goal in Thailand's victory over Indonesia in the SEA Games semi-finals, is starting to shine in England for Crystal Palace's under-19 team. For years, the SEA Games soccer gold medal was the highest international honour the Thai national team could achieve. The Kingdom became champions for the fifth time in a row at this year's SEA Games in Malaysia where a Thai player made his name on the international stage at the tender age of 16.
Teerathep Vinothai was the star attraction for Malaysian journalists when the Thai squad arrived in Kuala Lumpur back in September. The next day, a number of local newspapers ran stories on the 16-year-old who is now a trainee at English Division One side Crystal Palace. The boy lived up to all expectations when he scored the golden goal in Thailand's 2-1 victory over Indonesia in the semi-finals.
Thailand went on to win the gold by beating Malaysia 1-0 with a bizarre goal in the dying minutes, although Teerathep did not play in the final for tactical reason. Teerathep might even have netted another golden goal in that game had it not been for the bizarre winner. Thai officials said later they were going to use him in extra time when the match looked like ending in a goalless draw after 90 minutes.
For Teerathep, the tournament was one of the best moments in his rapidly-developing career. ``The experience in the SEA Games will make me stronger,'' he said. The SEA Games gold medal was added to his collection of international achievements which include three consecutive titles in the Norway Cup junior tournament in which he was twice the highest scorer and twice named best player. He also helped his former school, Bangkok Christian College, win the Physical Education Department's Under-12 and Under-14 championships.
Teerathep's road to glory started when he was a young boy. Thanks to his father Thepchai, a sportswriter for the Daily News, Teerathep developed a taste for football at a very young age as his father often took him to matches. ``I saw big crowds and I felt like I wanted to play before them,'' said Teerathep, who is nicknamed ``Leesaw'' because of his mother's love of the Hilltribe people of the same name which started when she was a volunteer teacher in northern Thailand during her college days.
The first turning point for young Leesaw came last year when he received a scholarship to study and play in England from a foundation established by sports media tycoon Ravi Lohthong, the founder of the Siam Sports Syndicate, whom Leesaw calls uncle. Teerathep was the first _ and so far only _ player deemed good enough to receive the scholarship which is supported by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT).
For many people, going to a new environment in a foreign country would be a major obstacle. But for Teerathep, who will turn 17 in February, it was more or less business as usual as he has been to a lot of countries including Norway, Russia and South Korea, not to mention Malaysia and Singapore. ``I adapted to life in England quite fast because I have travelled a lot,'' said the good-looking Teerathep who is often mobbed by Thai female students when he is in Thailand.
``I do not have any problems with the food or the weather. The only problem was the language but now that is not a big issue.''
In England, Teerathep is a boarding student at Brentwood School in Essex outside London. He travels to London to play for Crystal Palace's under-19 team on Saturdays and stays overnight with the Siam Sports reporters at their house. ``This makes me feel at home,'' he said.
Although he is still not in the first 11 of Palace's under-19 team, Teerathep has often come on as a substitute and scored goals, including one against Wolves in a recent FA Youth Cup third-round tie which was rated by the player himself as his most memorable goal so far in England.
``I came on in the second half and changed the course of the game. I scored the opening goal and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. We went on to win on penalties,'' Teerathep said.
Contrary to the general belief that football training in England is very harsh, Teerathep feels it is not that hard. He says the training concentrates on team work and using the ball. ``In Thailand, we often run around in hot conditions. But in England, they concentrate on training with the ball and how to solve problems you are likely to face in a match,'' he said.
As he regularly been finding the net for Palace, it is not surprising that Teerathep is being monitored by bigger clubs, including Premiership champions Manchester United who have reportedly shown interest in signing the young Thai star. ``The Crystal Palace coaches told me about Manchester United's interest but they advised that I should remain with them. They said that if I stay with Palace I will at least get the chance to play regularly, even though I am still a reserve for the under-19 team,'' Teerathep said. ``At clubs like Manchester United or Arsenal, it is unlikely that you would have a chance to play and show how good you are because they have a lot of good players.''
Fittingly, Manchester United are Teerathep's favourite English team and he has supported them since he was a young boy. Like father, like son _ as his dad is also a Man U fan.
Teerathep is treading the same path as former national coach Vittaya Laohakul, who played for a number of German sides decades ago, and Kiatisak ``Zico'' Senamuang, who had a brief but unsuccessful spell with English side Huddersfield Town. Thai pundits believe Teerathep has the potential to put Thailand on the European football map just like Japan's Hidetoshi Nakata and Iranian Ali Daei have done for their countries. But for an Asian player to be successful in Europe, and in particular in England, footballing skill is just one of several factors.
Teerathep's skill should not be an issue and English coach John Ryan has no doubts about his ability. ``I have seen Leesaw at Crystal Palace. He is a talented player and a quick learner. His technical skill is at a good level and one of the most important things is that he is still very young,'' said Ryan, who has signed a contract with the FAT to oversee a development project for Thai Under-12 players. But Ryan warned that Teerathep must bear in mind that he has to adapt himself to the unpleasant weather in England and that the English game relies heavily on physical strength and fitness.
While Teerathep insists the weather is not a problem for him, he admits that his physical strength needs improvement. Aged 16 and standing 1.72m, he is tall by Thai standards. But at just 63 kilogrammes, he is a bit skinny compared to Europeans. ``I need more physical strength as I am at a disadvantage when it comes to physical contact. Also, I need to improve my ball control,'' Teerathep said.
Vittaya, who has monitored Teerathep's progress since he was very young, believes Teerathep can make the grade in the English league as long as he adapts quickly to his new environment and stays away from ``social vices'' _ in particular alcohol and girls.
Teerathep agrees. ``To become a successful player, I know that I have to be patient, determined and work hard. More importantly, you have to control yourself. I have to behave because everybody is watching me,'' Teerathep said. ``No matter what you want to do, you have to try hard and learn. I have learned a lot from watching Zico and (former national team striker) Piyapong Piew-on. I also try to learn from good players on TV.''
Arguably the most talented footballer ever born in Thailand, Teerathep is now one of the country's most popular athletes. This year he was named the Outstanding Youth by the National Youth Bureau and was runner-up for the Sports Authority of Thailand's Best Youth Athlete of the Year. As a Manchester United fan, it is fitting that his idol _ apart from local heroes Kiatisak and Piyapong _ is Red Devils star and England captain David Beckham. ``Yes, I want to play with him,'' said Teerathep, who wears an earring like Beckham.
The young Thai's ultimate dream is to become an expensive player and famous worldwide. But before reaching that point his more realistic target is to be good enough to play professionally in England. Teerathep still has many mountains to climb before reaching the goal. But like the Leesaw Hilltribe people, he should be able to climb the mountains.
This article first appeared in the Bangkok Post
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