Thailand-Australia World Cup qualifier could be moved

Flooding in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok may see the country’s World Cup qualifier against Australia played in another location.

The match is currently scheduled to be played at Rajamangala National Stadium on November 15, but floodwaters that crested on Saturday could possibly remain for as long as a month, forcing the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to consider alternatives.

“So far, we’ve heard nothing from the [Asian Football Confederation]. However, we have already set up a plan for the worst-case scenario,” said FAT general secretary Ongart Kohsinkha.

“Rajamangala and Supachalasai stadiums are currently being used as evacuation shelters. I’m not sure whether either of them could host the game, so we have contacted Chiang Mai to prepare in case we have to move the match there.”

Chiang Mai, located in northern Thailand, is the only city other than Bangkok with both international air access and a stadium that meets FIFA standards.

The match would be likely played at the 20,000-seat 700th Anniversary Stadium, originally built for the 1995 Southeast Asian Games.

Thailand are currently second in Group D with four points from three matches, while the Socceroos are unbeaten so far in their qualifying campaign.