Thailand national under-21 football team
National youth football team.
The Thailand national under-21 football team, commonly referred to as Thailand U21, represents Thailand in international under-21 football competitions. Managed by the Football Association of Thailand, this team acts as a developmental squad for young players, preparing them for potential roles in the senior national team and the under-23 squad. The team is often called "ช้างศึก" (The War Elephants) and competes under the auspices of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).
Thailand U21 plays its home matches at Rajamangala Stadium, which provides a prominent venue for showcasing young talent. The team has achieved some success in regional tournaments, including winning the Nations Cup in 2016, demonstrating its competitive spirit on the international stage. They also finished as runners-up in the 2016 International U-21 Thanh Niên Newspaper Cup, further highlighting their potential.
Over the years, several coaches have led the Thailand U21 team, including Worrawoot Srimaka, who played a significant role in their 2016 Nations Cup victory. Other notable coaches have included Julián Marín Bazalo and Alexandre Gama, who contributed to the team's development and competitive performance.
The team's competitive record includes participation in various tournaments and friendly matches. In the 2016 Nations Cup, Thailand U21 showcased its strength by winning all their matches and demonstrating solid defensive and offensive capabilities. Their performance in the 2016 International U-21 Thanh Niên Newspaper Cup was also commendable, where they secured multiple victories and showcased their scoring ability.