As night falls on Thursday (16th), the Thai soccer team will meet the challenge of China at home in the gilded World Cup qualifier. On the eve of the do-or-die match, Thai coaches and players went to Bangkok's Temple of the Golden Buddha to pray reverently to the Buddha and received amulets from senior monks in a bid to multiply their luck and faith in the match.
In silence, the Thai players listened intently to the guru's Buddhist teachings and received the gift of the amulet. Defender Ban Sa said emotionally, "The World Cup qualifying match is a crucial tournament, and we honor legendary coach Chao Khun Thongchai and pray for the divine blessing and inspiration of Lon Pa Thong. The amulets presented by them have strengthened our will and given us divine blessings to take our chances in the tournament." Bangsar is convinced that incorporating Buddhist concepts into soccer will enable the players to be more focused and disciplined in the game, and the self-discipline of soccer is to avoid getting yellow or red cards to ensure the smooth running of the game.
