Teerasil Dangda


Teerasil Dangda is a Thai footballer who plays for J1 League club Shimizu S-Pulse and the Thailand national team which he serves as a team captain.

Club career

Early career

Teerasil started his football career playing youth football for Assumption College Thonburi in 2003, aged 15. Two years later he left the club, due to the lack of a professional team.
In 2004–2005 season Teerasil joined Air Technical Training School in Thai Division 1 League In the same season he made his senior debuts, and scored three goals in only six matches for the club.
In 2006 Teerasil moved to Raj Pracha, being an important offensive unit for the side, being the club's topscorer and also assisting in further five goals during the campaign.
In 2007 Teerasil joined fellow second divisioner Muangthong United, and was a part of the squad who was crowned champions, contributing with seven goals and six assists.

Manchester City

On 25 July 2007, Teerasil was taken on a trial at Manchester City, after Thai businessman Thaksin Shinawatra bought City earlier in the month. After a long time waiting for their work permits, the trio signed with City on 16 November.
However, after problems with the work permit, Teerasil was loaned to one of City's new alliances, Grasshopper. After returning to City in 2008, he was still unable to play in England, and after the takeover of Abu Dhabi United Group, the Thai trio were released on 16 October 2008. He later said that his time at City "made him a better footballer", despite not appearing with the first-team.

Grasshopper and return to Thailand

Teerasil was loaned to Grasshopper alongside Suree in November, but both failed to make a first-team appearance, only appearing with the reserves in 1. Liga Classic. He scored twice in six matches for the reserve squad and returned to City in June 2008.
Soon after being released by City, Teerasil returned to his homeland and re-joined Raj Pracha for remainder of the season. He contributed with six goals in only eight games, helping the club to achieve a mid-table position during the campaign.

Muangthong United

In 2009 Teerasil returned to Muangthong United. On 8 March 2009 he made his Thailand Premier League debut, in a 3–0 home win over Thai Port, and finished the season with seven goals under his belt. Muangthong was also champions of Thailand.
In 2010, Teerasil repeated his tally of the previous season, and was a part of the squad who was crowned champions of Thailand again. In 2011 he established himself as the club's topscorer, scoring 13 goals as Muangthong finished third. Teerasil was also invited for a trial at Queens Park Rangers in July.
In 2012, Muangthong engaged an unbeaten run which lasted the whole season, and Teerasil also scored four goals in a single match, an 8–1 routing over BBCU on 18 October. Ten days later he scored in a 2–2 draw against BEC Tero Sasana, a goal which granted the title, took his tally to 24 goals and broke the previous record of Ronnachai Sayomchai in 1998.
After his impressive goal tally in the season, Teerasil was invited by La Liga sides Atlético Madrid and Getafe CF for a trial, but as the former was a Muangthong partner, he headed to Atleti in January 2013; he also attracted interest of Trabzonspor in June.
On 9 January 2013 Teerasil travelled to Spain for a two-week trial at Atlético Madrid. He later described the Spanish football as "very quick, strong and with great quality", after completing his first training with the Madrilenians. Teerasil also watched from the stands an Atleti win over Real Zaragoza four days later, and returned to Muangthong in February.
Teerasil's first goal of the season came from a volley on 2 March 2013 in a 2–1 success against Army United. His second came late in the month, in a 3–0 home win over Songkhla United, and he scored again in the following weekend, against Ratchaburi. After seven matches without scoring, Teerasil netted again on 29 May, but in a 1–3 away loss to Suphanburi. On 23 June he netted twice against BEC Tero, and his first hat-trick of the season came on 5 October, in a 3–1 away win over Osotspa Saraburi.
Teerasil also played in the 2013 AFC Champions League group stage against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Guangzhou Evergrande, and Urawa Red Diamonds. He finished the season with 16 goals in the league.
Teerasil started 2014 season as a second striker, playing behind new signing Jay Bothroyd. He scored twice in the second game of the season, a 3–0 win at TOT, and again roughly a month later in a 4–1 success at PTT Rayong. Teerasil appeared in 18 league matches, scoring nine goals.
He played his last match for Muangthong on 2 July, starting in a 0–1 League Cup loss against Buriram United. Teerasil sent a farewell to Muangthong fans after the match.

Almería (loan)

On 21 February 2014, Teerasil signed with Almería on a one-year loan deal, making him the first Southeast Asian and Thai footballer to play in La Liga. He arrived at his new club on 9 June, being surrounded by supporters in the airport.
Teerasil made his debut in the Spanish top level on 23 August 2014, replacing Fernando Soriano in the 65th minute of a 1–1 home draw against RCD Espanyol, thus becoming the first Thai footballer to do so. He was handed his first start on 5 December, and scored his side's second of a 4–3 away win against Real Betis, for the campaign's Copa del Rey.

Return to Muangthong United

On 20 January 2015, after an unsuccessful spell, Teerasil returned to his parent club. He backed to be an important part for Muangthong United and won 2016 Thai League. In the next season, he scored 100th goal for his club on 11 March 2017 against Nakhon Ratchasima. Moreover, he broke Pipob On-Mo's league record of 108 goals becoming highest league goals of Thai players with 109 goals after scored twice against Super Power Samut Prakan.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima (loan)

Teerasil signed for Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 20 December 2017. He made his official debut against Consadole Sapporo, where his former teammates Chanathip Songkrasin and Jay Bothroyd also plays for, in 2018 J1 League and scored the winning goal for his club. He has scored 6 goals in 32 league appearances for the club. He returned to Muangthong United even though Sanfrecce want him to play in next season.

Shimizu S-Pulse

In January 2020 Teerasil signed with Shimizu S-Pulse. He made his debut on February 22 against FC Tokyo, netting a goal in a 3-1 defeat.

International career

Teerasil appeared for Thailand's under-16 and under-17 squads in 2004, being a part of the squad which played in 2004 AFC U-17 Championship. Two years later, he was also in the under-19 squad which played in 2006 AFC Youth Championship, scoring the first of a 2–1 success against United Arab Emirates; it was Thailand's only victory of the tournament.
In 2007 Teerasil appeared for the under-23's. He was part of the Olympic team which failed to make the final cut ahead of 2008 Summer Olympics. In December 2007 he won the U-23 Gold Medal at the Southeast Asian Games, scoring the winner against Myanmar. In the same year Teerasil received his first call-up to the main squad, and was also into the 23-man squad ahead of 2007 AFC Asian Cup, being the youngest of the squad. However, he only appeared once in the whole tournament, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–1 draw against Iraq; the hosts subsequently failed to progress through the knockout stages, and finished third in Group A.
Teerasil was also selected to 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup; he netted four times during the tournament as Thailand finished runner-up, losing to Vietnam. Teerasil scored his side's first in the second leg, but Vietnam managed to score a last-minute goal and was crowned champions. He was an ever-present figure in the international fold since October 2007, his second match being a FIFA World Cup Qualifying against Macau, where he scored the second of a 6–1 win. He was a member of the victorious squad of 2008 T&T Cup at Vietnam.
In Asia's 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, under the management of a newly appointed German coach Winfried Schafer, Teerasil featured constantly and scored against Australia and Oman, respectively. He was the top scorer for the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup, during which he scored a hat-trick against Myanmar.
Teerasil won and scored a penalty for Thailand against FC Barcelona in the Catalans' 2013 Asian Tour in Bangkok. In 2013, he was called up to the national team by Surachai Jaturapattarapong to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification. In October 2013 Teerasil played a friendly match against Bahrain, and scored against Iran in the following match, a 1–2 loss at Tehran.
In May 2015, he played for Thailand in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification against Vietnam.
In June 2015, he scored twice in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification against Chinese Taipei.

Style of play

Teerasil's style of play or role on the field could be described as a striker or deep-lying forward, as he often comes deep down to help the team maintain possession. Aside from his main position, he can play as the main reference up front or as a midfielder.
Teerasil has great quality on the ball, and is also described as quick, skillful and with great vision, which as well as scoring allows him to make many assists for his teammates.

Personal life

Teerasil was born in Bangkok with parents from Amphoe Sangkha, Surin province of Northeastern Thailand. His sister, Taneekarn, is a member of the Thailand women's national football team and also plays as a striker; his father was also a footballer and played for Royal Thai Air Force.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.8 October 2007Suphachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand2–06–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.15 October 2007Estádio Campo Desportivo, Taipa, Macau1–07–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.20 May 2008Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–07–0Friendly
4.20 May 2008Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand4–07–0Friendly
5.25 May 2008Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand2–02–1Friendly
6.16 November 2008Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam2–12–2T&T Cup
7.10 December 2008Surakul Stadium, Phuket, Thailand2–03–02008 AFF Championship
8.10 December 2008Surakul Stadium, Phuket, Thailand3–03–02008 AFF Championship
9.16 December 2008Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia1–01–02008 AFF Championship
10.28 December 2008Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam1–01–12008 AFF Championship
11.21 January 2009Surakul Stadium, Phuket, Thailand1–02–12009 King's Cup
12.5 February 2009Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai, Japan1–21–2Friendly
13.28 March 2009Suphachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–13–1Friendly'
14.28 March 2009Suphachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand3–13–1Friendly'
—18 July 2009Thunderdome Stadium, Pak Kret, Thailand1–04–0Unofficial friendly
—18 July 2009Thunderdome Stadium, Pak Kret, Thailand3–04–0Unofficial friendly
15.14 July 2011New I-Mobile Stadium, Buriram, Thailand1–01–0Friendly
16.2 September 2011Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia1–01–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification
17.6 September 2011Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand2–03–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
18.24 February 2012700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand2–03–0Friendly
19.17 November 2012Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand2–05–0Friendly
20.17 November 2012Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand3–05–0Friendly
21.17 November 2012Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand4–05–0Friendly
22.27 November 2012Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–04–02012 AFF Championship
23.27 November 2012Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand3–04–02012 AFF Championship
24.27 November 2012Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand4–04–02012 AFF Championship
25.9 December 2012Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1–11–12012 AFF Championship
26.13 December 2012Suphachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–02–02012 AFF Championship
27.15 October 2013Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran1–21–22015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
28.16 June 2015Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan1–02–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
29.16 June 2015Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan2–02–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
30.3 September 2015Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand2–02–0Friendly
31.12 November 2015Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–14–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification
32.3 June 2016Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–02–22016 King's Cup
33.15 November 2016Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–12–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification
34.15 November 2016Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand2–12–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification
35.19 November 2016Philippine Sports Stadium, Bocaue, Philippines2–04–22016 AFF Championship
36.19 November 2016Philippine Sports Stadium, Bocaue, Philippines3–24–22016 AFF Championship
37.19 November 2016Philippine Sports Stadium, Bocaue, Philippines4–24–22016 AFF Championship
38.4 December 2016Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar1–02–02016 AFF Championship
39.4 December 2016Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar2–02–02016 AFF Championship
40.14 December 2016Pakansari Stadium, Bogor, Indonesia1–01–22016 AFF Championship
41.5 October 2017Mandalarthiri Stadium, Mandalay, Myanmar2–03–1Friendly
42.8 October 2017SCG Stadium, Pak Kret, Thailand1–01–0Friendly
43.6 January 2019Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates1–11–42019 AFC Asian Cup
44.10 October 2019Leo Stadium, Pathum Thani, Thailand1–01–1Friendly
45.15 October 2019Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani, Thailand1–02–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

;Muangthong United
;Sanfrecce Hiroshima
;Thailand
; Thailand U-23