Coach Polking: 'Thailand plays better than China'

Thailand coach Mano Polking said the home team created many opportunities against China but did not take full advantage and paid the price in the opening match of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.

Thailand had 63% possession and 17 shots - two and a half times more than China. However, the visitors only needed two shots on target to score twice and beat the hosts 2-1 in Bangkok. Thailand played at Rajamangala Stadium for the first time in nearly five years, but lost to their direct competitors for a place in the third round of the World Cup.

Coach Polking said he was disappointed to lose such an important match. "We created many chances, but did not finish well," he said. "But the team must not lose confidence, must get up and correct the mistakes in the next five days. If we win against Singapore, everything will return to normal for Thailand."

21-year-old striker Suphanat Mueanta (No. 17) lost the ball during Thailand's 1-2 loss to China at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the evening of October 16, 2023. Photo: Changsuek — 21-year-old striker Suphanat Mueanta (No. 17) lost the ball during Thailand's 1-2 loss to China at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the evening of October 16, 2023. Photo: *Changsuek*

The 47-year-old coach commented that the Thai strikers did not play well together because they did not have much time to practice together. He mentioned the European training trip in the FIFA schedule in October 2023, which was missing a series of key players such as Chanathip Songkrasin, Supachok Sarachat, Suphanat Mueanta, Supachai Jaided or Ekanit Panya, due to conflicts between the federation (FAT) and Thai League clubs. "But this is not an excuse for Thailand's failure," Polking added.

These attackers all played against China on the evening of November 16, but did not score. Midfielder Sarach Yooyen was the author of the only goal for Thailand, but then Wu Lei and Wang Shangyuan scored in turn to help the visitors take all three points.

Not only did Thailand lose, but they also suffered a loss when central defender Pansa Hemviboon and Chanathip were injured. Polking said Chanathip will definitely not be able to play against Singapore, and Pansa will likely miss the next match as well. "However, Thailand still has many players to replace Chanathip, and Sarach is among them," he said.

At the end of the post-match press conference, Polking said he was confident that Thailand would get three points against Singapore. And they had no choice but to do so, because Group C also included South Korea - a team that was considered much stronger and expected to win all six matches. So if they did not get six points from their two matches against Singapore, Thailand would have little hope of advancing.

The second qualifying round consists of 36 teams divided into nine groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the third qualifying round. Thailand will visit Singapore on November 21, while China will host South Korea at home.

Xuan Binh

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