Taiwan Defensive mistakes caused Thailand to draw 2-2 with host Taiwan despite dominating the friendly match on the evening of June 16.
* Goals: Kritsada own goal 48', Chen Ting-yang 87' - Teerasil Dangda 62, Wang Ruei own goal 84'
Chanathip (right) was fouled by a Taiwanese defender during a friendly match in Kaohsiung on the evening of June 16. Photo: FAT
Thailand will be without Theerathon Bunmathan this time, but still have stars like Chanathip Songkrasin and Supachok Sarachat when visiting Kaohsiung. The reigning Southeast Asian champions, currently ranked 114th in FIFA, easily dominated the match against host Taiwan - a team 42 places lower. However, they had difficulty approaching goalkeeper Pan Wen-chieh's goal.
Taiwan played a defensive counter-attacking game with the danger of Emilio Estevez - a 24-year-old midfielder naturalized from Canada. In the 48th minute, Estevez's long-range shot was inaccurate, but the ball hit Kritsada Kaman and changed direction into the net, helping Taiwan unexpectedly open the score.
Thailand increased the tempo and quickly equalized in the 62nd minute thanks to veteran striker Teerasil Dangda. It was not until the 84th minute that the visitors took a 2-1 lead. Right-back Nicholas Mickelson dribbled past two Taiwanese players and crossed the ball into the box, but Wang Ruei fumbled and cleared the ball into his own net.
Nicholas Mickelson (No. 12) shares joy with Chanathip (No. 18) after raising the score to 2-1 in the 83rd minute. Photo: FAT
When the match seemed to be settled with a 2-1 result for the away team, Taiwan equalized in the 87th minute. From a free kick on the right wing, substitute defender Chen Ting Yang pressed and defeated Chatmongkol Rueangthanarot in an aerial duel, then headed the ball to the ground to make it 2-2.
After the match, Sofascore statistics showed that Thailand controlled the ball 76%, shooting 11 times compared to the home team's eight. The away team passed 647 times, achieving an accuracy rate of 86%, while Taiwan's figures were 113 and 57%.
This is the second consecutive match that Thailand has failed to beat Taiwan. Previously, they lost 0-1 to Taiwan on December 14, 2022 in a friendly match to prepare for the 2022 AFF Cup, also under coach Mano Polking.
After this match, Thailand will move to Hong Kong to play the second friendly match on June 19. Hong Kong just lost 0-1 to Vietnam yesterday, June 15.
Starting lineup:
Taiwan: Pan Wen-chieh, Fong Shao-chi, Wu Chun-ching, Wang Ruei, Wang Chien-ming, Emilio Estevez, Yen He-Sheng, Wu Yen-shu, Yu Chia-huang, Yu Yao-Hsing, Chen Jui-Chieh
Thailand: Patiwat Kaomhai, Nicholas Mickelson, Jakkaphan Praisuwan, Kritsada Kaman, Peerapat Notchaiya, Thitipan Puangchan, Weerathep Pomphan, Sarach Yooyen, Chanathip Songkrasin, Supachok Sarachat, Teerasil Dangda.
Mid-Autumn Festival
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