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Today I learned how to play as a team - Suriya Musikachai

Young footballer from Ratchaburi experience familiar and new elements in a football clinic that uses a renown teaching style from Japan.

Suriya Musikachai, a young footballer from Ratchaburi Soccer School, spoke about the inspiration and valuable lessons he gained during a football clinic hosted by Mitsubishi Electric at Polo Football Park. The clinic, part of the lead-up to the Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024, was an opportunity for Thai youth to learn from top international coaches, including Dobashi Isao from FC Imabari in Japan, who introduced the players to the renowned Okada Method of football training.

Suriya expressed his excitement and pride at meeting respected figures in football. “Today I feel very happy because many adults came to inspire me, such as the national team coach, Masatada Ishii, and Jaroensak Wonggorn. I feel very proud to have met these people.”

Beyond the excitement of meeting his idols, Suriya shared his ambitions, “My ultimate dream is to become a professional footballer and earn a salary to support my parents.”

The clinic introduced participants to advanced techniques and strategies. Suriya was particularly enthusiastic about how much he learned in terms of teamwork and movement on the field. “Today’s football clinic gave me ideas on passing, finding gaps, and moving to find space. It also gave me good ideas and attitudes toward playing football.”

He found the 4-on-2 drills especially engaging. “Today’s session 4-on-2 was quite fun because I always play like this during practice, so it makes it easy to play,” Suriya noted, highlighting how familiar and enjoyable the training felt.

One of the key takeaways for Suriya was the emphasis on teamwork. “Today I learned how to play as a team because today’s topic was playing as a team. I learned about moving, communicating, and playing together with my teammates.” The drills emphasized the importance of communication and collective effort in football, key elements of the Japanese style of play that the clinic focused on.

Despite the advanced techniques taught, Suriya didn’t feel overwhelmed. “None of the sessions I had today were difficult because football depends on the players, whether to make it difficult or easy,” he said, showing his confidence and readiness to apply the skills he learned.

The day ended with an 8-on-8 match, which Suriya found to be the most enjoyable part of the clinic. “The most fun activity today was the last session, 8 vs. 8. It was like playing as a team and using your individual abilities and playing together with your teammates. At first, when we saw only a small picture, it became a bigger picture.” The exercise allowed the young players to experience the full dynamics of teamwork, blending individual talent with collective strategy.

This clinic not only gave Suriya a chance to sharpen his football skills but also reinforced his passion for the game. As he continues his football journey, he hopes to take these lessons forward, dreaming of one day turning professional and supporting his family.