'Skilled worker' Nishino expected to be back in Aug

FAT secretary-general Patit Supaphong said yesterday his organisation had asked the Foreign Ministry to allow the Japanese coach to return to Thailand as a 'skilled worker.'

Thailand continues to ban passenger flights to combat Covid-19.

However, the government will allow certain groups of people to fly into the country.

If Nishino, who is in his native Japan, gets the green light, he will have to go into quarantine for 14 days after arrival.

"We expect him to return in August," Patit said.

Asia's World Cup qualifying round, which has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, is scheduled to resume in October providing that travel restrictions have been eased by that time.

Thailand will host Indonesia on Oct 8, travel to the United Arab Emirates on Nov 12, and are at home to Malaysia on Nov 17 in their remaining games in Group G of the continent's second qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Eight group winners and four best runners-up advance to the next stage.

After five games, Vietnam have 11 points, ahead of Malaysia (nine) and Thailand (eight).

The UAE who just had a new coach, have six points with a game in hand while Indonesia are still chasing their first point.