Ben Davis out of crucial ASEAN Championship match due to injury
- Ben Davis has been ruled out of the December 17 match against Singapore due to an ankle injury.
- The injury occurred during Thailand's 10-0 victory over Timor-Leste on December 8.
- Davis's absence raises concerns for Thailand's chances in the tournament and coincides with discussions about his national service status.
In a significant development for Thailand's football team, Ben Davis has been sidelined due to an ankle injury he sustained during a match against Timor-Leste on December 8. The injury occurred when Davis scored two goals in what turned out to be a dominant 10-0 victory for Thailand. Following the injury, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed the severity of the issue, leading to medical advice for a two-week rest period. This effectively means that Davis will miss not only the upcoming clash against Singapore on December 17 but also the remainder of the Group A campaign. His absence is notable given his pivotal role in the team's prior successes and the anticipation surrounding his match-up with Singapore, particularly amid heightened scrutiny regarding his national service obligations in Singapore. Despite being part of Thailand's 26-man squad, his prior failure to report for national service has garnered attention and complexities in his eligibility. This injury comes at a critical time as Thailand is positioned as a strong contender for the championship title, having previously emerged victorious in the corresponding tournament last year. Meanwhile, the Thai team, led by coach Masatada Ishii, continues to prepare for the match against Singapore, where the outcome will determine their fate in advancing to the semi-finals. As the team's strategy evolves without Davis, it will be interesting to see how they adapt and if they can maintain their edge in the tournament without one of their top performers. The dynamics of the match will be closely watched, especially considering the implications for both teams in the qualifying rounds. Beyond the field, Davis's situation also raises discussions around national service obligations within Singapore, as the implications of his choices and their potential legal consequences linger for the player, who has lived in Singapore since childhood after being born in Thailand to a Thai mother and an English father.