Easy King's Cup opener for Thailand

Iraq favourites to claim top honours

- TOR CHITTINAND

Hosts Thailand will kick off the defence of their King's Cup crown against Fiji on Sept 4 at Kanchanaburi's Kleeb Bua Stadium.

In the other game on the opening day, Iraq will take on Hong Kong at the same venue.

The winners of the two opening day clashes will lock horns for the coveted trophy three days later with the losing sides coming face to face in the third-place playoff earlier in the day.

Both Iraq and Thailand are ranked much higher than their first-day opponents and are expected to cruise to the Sept 7 title showdown.