Quick Facts
Biography
Sompong Soleb (Thai: สมปอง สอเหลบ; born July 30, 1986), simply known as Pong (Thai: ปอง) is a Thai professional footballer who plays as a Forward for Thai League club Bangkok United. He debuted for the senior Thailand national football team in 2010.
He played in the 2010 Thai League Cup final and won a winner's medal after Thai Port defeated Buriram PEA F.C. 2-1.
Back in 2004, Sompong Soleb was one of three Thais selected from over 500 hopefuls to spend a year training with Everton F.C. The selection process was part of a reality TV show funded by Everton's main sponsor Chang Beer, with Everton's youth academy director Ray Hall helping judge the competition.
Club career
His career began when Thai Sompong third division side Satun United F.C.. In 2004, he participated in a talent show, which was looking for talented soccer players. The main prize was a nine-month stay in the youth academy of the English club Everton F.C.. Together with Rattapol Piyavutiskul and Teerathep Winothai he won this award. In April 2005, he took part in a three weeks trial at Chester City. The club was also willing to give him a contract. but it probably came from labor reasons for any contract with the club. Back in Thailand, he played until the end of 2006 for his hometown club before he moved to the Thai Premier League for the Port Authority in 2007. In 22 games he scored only four goals in 2008 and he went to Chula United F.C., for whom he plays ever since. In his first season he scored nine goals for Chula and he had so large share of the league.
After missing two easy chances in the game against Samut Songkhram FC he is known by Thai fans as "Thai Welbeck".
International career
He represented Thailand national football team and previously played for Thailand U23. He played in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games and won the gold medal. He also played in the 2009 Southeast Asian Games. He also took part in the 2007 Summer Universiade and also won gold. In October, 2011 Sompong scored a goal for Thailand national in a match against Oman in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Third Round He played in the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup and is part of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup.
International
- As of 3 April 2016
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 18 | 2 |
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | September 6, 2011 | Rajamangala Stadium, Thailand |  Oman | 1–0 | 3–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
| 2. | November 17, 2012 | Rajamangala Stadium, Thailand |  Bangladesh | 1–0 | 5–0 | International Friendly |
Honours
Club
- Thai Port
- Thai FA Cup (1): 2009
- Thai League Cup (1): 2010
- Buriram
- Thai Division 1 League (1): 2011
International
- Thailand
- ASEAN Football Championship (1): 2014