KUALA LUMPUR: Kim Pan Gon went to Thailand recently to check on winger Safawi Rasid. And the national coach liked what he saw.
Pan Gon said he saw a happy and fit Safawi who is on loan to Thai League 1 club Ratchaburi FC.
Korean Pan Gon had planned to meet two Thailand-based national players, Safawi and Dion Cools, during the preseason. However, Cools was not available.
Pan Gon said he hadn't seen Safawi, his co-captain, for quite some time.
"I tried to visit Junior Eldstal, but he had gone to see his wife and new-born baby. But it was good to see Safawi because I haven't seen him play 90 minutes for a while," said Pan Gon.
"It was a difficult but good start (for Safawi in the Thai league). It's also good to see him lose weight, which is a good sign.
"I can see that he is happy, so we hope his performance continues."
Pan Gon also said that Cools has already made an impact at his team, Buriram United, who are at the top of the Thai League 1 table.
Pan Gon said Safawi's only problem there is finding halal food in the Ratchaburi province.