Chanathip Songkrasin


Chanathip Songkrasin, simply known as Jay is a Thai professional footballer who plays for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. He also represents the Thailand national team.

Club career

BEC Tero Sasana

Chanathip was promoted to the BEC Tero Sasana first team squad by new coach Andrew Ord who had also been his youth team coach. On 6 May he scored a last-minute goal against Thai Port in the Thai League 1, which gave BEC Tero Sasana a 2–0 win. In early 2013 Chanathip had an offer from J.League side Gamba Osaka. At the end of the season, he won the TPL Young Player of the Year.
In mid-October Shimizu S-Pulse of the J.League offered him a trial at the end of the 2013 season. In late October it was reported directly from BEC Tero Sasana's general manager Robert Procureur that Bundesliga club Hamburg would give Chanathip a trial at the end of the 2014 Bundesliga season and if he succeeded he would be the second Thai player to play in the Bundesliga after Witthaya Laohakul.

Muangthong United

On 27 January 2016, it was announced that Chanathip, along with his BEC Tero teammates Peerapat Notchaiya and Tanaboon Kesarat, would be joining Muangthong United on loan for the 2016 season. Chanathip netted his first goal for Muangthong United on 1 May 2016 when he scored from Tristan Do's cross in the 18th minute, in what turned out to be the only goal in a victory over Chonburi. Chanathip later permanently joined Muangthong United for an undisclosed fee. He helped his club to win the 2016 Thai League and 2016 Thai League Cup in his first season.
In 2017, Chanathip Songkrasin greatly performed in the 2017 AFC Champions League group stage in the first two games against Brisbane Roar and Kashima Antlers which Muangthong United managed to collect four points. He was awarded as man of the match for both games.

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo

In December 2016 it was announced that Chanathip would be joining a newly promoted J.League side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the summer of 2017 on loan lasting for a season and a half. On 11 January 2017, Consadole Sapporo officially presented Chanathip Songkrasin as their new player. This loan followed Chanathip's impressive performances during the 2016 AFF Championship in addition to Consadole Sapporo scouting him for a few years earlier. Chanathip played the first half of the 2017 season with his parent club, Muangthong United, before heading to Sapporo, Japan, in July 2017.
On 26 July 2017, Chanathip made his debut for Consadole Sapporo in 2017 J.League Cup against Cerezo Osaka as a substitute replacing Ryota Hayasaka in the 46th minute. On 29 July 2017, he was part of the starting lineup against Urawa Red Diamonds in 2017 J1 League. This is his ever first match in J1 League. Besides, he became the first Thai footballer appearing in the top tier of Japan's professional football league system. He scored his first J-League goal which came through a header in his club 3–3 draw at Cerezo Osaka on 2 March 2018.
On 13 July 2018, Chanathip signed a permanent contract with Consadole Sapporo, making him a permanent Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo player from 1 February 2019.
On 3 December 2018, after leading his team, Consadole Sapporo to a record high 4th place finish in 2018 J1 League, Chanathip was voted by his teammates as the team's most valuable player of the season. After that, he was announced as one of the players in J.League team of the season, being the first Southeast Asian person in history to do so.

International career

Chanathip Songkrasin started his international stage with Thailand national under-20 football team, he played latest in 2012 AFC U-19 Championship.
In the top level, Chanathip was first called up by Thailand national team head coach Winfried Schäfer to compete in the 2012 King's Cup, and debuted in this tournament. He continued to be called to 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup squad. At 19 years old, he was the youngest player who called by Winfried Schäfer.
In February 2013 he scored his first goal for the first team against Kuwait in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification which ended up 1-3 lost against Kuwait. After that game, he scored another goal in a friendly match against China.
He represented Thailand U23 in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games. Chanathip played for Thailand U23 in the 2014 Asian Games.
In 2014, Chanathip was a part of Thailand's winning squad for the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup. During the tournament Chanathip scored the first goal in the 3–0 win over the Philippines in the semi-finals and assisted second goal for Kroekrit Thaweekarn in a 2–0 victory over Malaysia in the first leg of the final. He also scored the last goal in the second leg to cement Thailand's place on the trophy. Afterwards he was named best player of the tournament and became the youngest AFF Suzuki Cup MVP at the age of 21.
In May 2015, he was called up by Thailand to play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification against Vietnam.
Chanathip won the 2015 Southeast Asian Games with Thailand U23.
In December 2016, Chanathip again led Thailand to the title of 2016 AFF Championship, the fifth title of his nation. He was also awarded another Most Valuable Player and became the first player to win it twice.

Style of Play

Chanathip usually plays in the position of attacking midfielder who provides the chance for his front line. He is known for his pace, agility, and dribbles that can handle 1-3 opponents while in possession and can play both feet. Chanathip also has the special threat of powerful and accurate shots from outside the box. Kongphop Songkrasin, Chanathip's father, and his first trainer later revealed that he was supposed to train his son with the style of his idol Diego Maradona.

Career statistics

Club

Thailand U-23

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.6 June 2012Bangkok, Thailand6–09–1 Friendly
2.6 June 2012Bangkok, Thailand7–09–1 Friendly
3.30 June 2012Vientiane, Laos1–01–1 2013 AFC U-22 Championship qualification
4.22 September 2014Incheon, South Korea3–06–0 2014 Asian Games
5.28 September 2014Incheon, South Korea1–02–0 2014 Asian Games
6.13 June 2015Kallang, Singapore5–05–0 2015 Southeast Asian Games Semi-finals
7.19 January 2016Doha, Qatar2–22–2 2016 AFC U-23 Championship

Thailand

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.6 February 2013Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–31–32015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
2.15 June 2013Hefei Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Hefei, China4–15–1Friendly
3.10 December 2014Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–03–02014 AFF Championship
4.20 December 2014Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia2–32–32014 AFF Championship
5.8 December 2016Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand4–04–02016 AFF Championship
6.10 January 2019Al-Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates1–01–02019 AFC Asian Cup
7.21 March 2019Guangxi Sports Center, Nanning, China1–01–02019 China Cup
8.14 November 2019Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1–01–22022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

;BEC Tero Sasana
;Muangthong United
Thailand
Thailand U-23
;Thailand U-19