Teerasil Dangda ‘delighted’ at becoming first Thai in La Liga

Thai footballer Teerasil Dangda appeared in Almeria's 1-1 draw with Espanyol on Sunday, becoming the first from his country to play in a La Liga match.

The first Thai footballer to play in Spain’s La Liga has spoken of his delight at making his debut for Almeria in a 1-1 draw with Espanyol.

Stiker Teerasil Dangda, 26, who is on a season-long loan from Thai Premier League side Muangthong United, came off the bench in the first fixture of the new season.

“I was already happy when I was named one of the substitutes,” he was quoted as saying by The Nation, a Thai newspaper, on Monday.

“I’m delighted to see action on the pitch. I can’t really describe my feelings. I didn’t know whether I was delighted, excited or nervous.

“It’s a mixture of all but mostly it’s one of satisfaction to get a taste of what we previously could only watch on television.”

While he is little-known overseas, Teerasil is a household name in Thailand for his goal-scoring exploits for club and country.

The rangy forward has made a number of previous attempts to join European leagues, including a stint training with current Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, but Sunday’s game was his first competitive appearance.

He refused to be drawn on the prospects of a long-term deal with La Liga minnows Almeria – who narrowly avoided relegation last season.

“Let’s see how it turns out. It’s only one match so we cannot tell anything ... I need to improve on many things,” he was quoted as saying.

He also had a trial at Manchester City in 2007, when the club was owned by his compatriot Thaksin Shinawatra, but was unable to gain a work permit and left without playing.

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