JAKARTA (2015 FIBA Asia U16 Championship) - Thailand qualified to the 2015 FIBA Asia U16 Championship Second Round for the first time in their history, and Coach Sopon Pinitpatcharalert is obviously a proud man.

Thailand’s previous FIBA Asia U16 Championship campaigns finished 16th and 13th in 2009 and 2013 respectively.

“I’m proud to be the first Thailand coach to take the team to the FIBA Asia U16 Championship second round,” the 35-year-old said following Thailand’s 76-52 defeat against Korea.

 The defeat notwithstanding, Thailand still have a chance to qualify to the quarter-finals and Pinitpatcharalert believes that beating Iraq is the main aim.

“To qualify to the quarter-finals, all we need to do is to beat Iraq,” insisted the Bangkok City forward.

“I watched them against China and I was really impressed with their physical and defensive display against arguably the strongest team here in Jakarta,” he added.

Pinitpatcharalert also spoke about how proud the players are to be representing their country here in Jakarta.

 “I know what representing your national team means, I always felt honoured whenever I put on the Thailand jersey, I’m sure the players are having the same feeling,” he concluded.

FIBA