Thailand team undefeated, setting Southeast Asian record at Asian Cup 2023

The Thai team is the first Southeast Asian representative to pass the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup. The team from the Golden Temple country is sure to advance from the final match of Group D taking place on the evening of January 24. In the match against Saudi Arabia yesterday (January 25), the Thai team set an impressive record.

The team nicknamed "War Elephants" has participated in the Asian Cup 8 times (the most of any Southeast Asian team), but this is the first time they have gone undefeated in the group stage. The Thai team won 1 match and drew 2 matches, earning 5 points, ranking second in Group F. No Southeast Asian team has ever gone through the group stage of the Asian Cup undefeated like Thailand.

Not only that, coach Ishii Masatada and his team also impressed by not conceding a goal in the group stage. They beat Kyrgyzstan 2-0 and drew with Oman and Saudi Arabia with the same score of 0-0. Notably, Saudi Arabia is one of the 5 strongest teams in Asia and regularly participates in the World Cup.

Thailand, along with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Australia and Qatar, are the undefeated teams after the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup.

The Thai team was undefeated in the group stage.

Despite having just changed their head coach for just over a month and missing two key players, Teerasil Dangda and Chananthip Songkrasin, the Thai team still played convincingly. Stars like Supachai Jaided, Suphanat Muaenta, Suphachok Sarachat and especially Theerathon Bunmathan showed impressive form.

Against an opponent of equal strength like Kyrgyzstan, the team from the Golden Temple played continuously and won with overwhelming force. When meeting Oman, the Thai team attacked at certain intervals. Feeling that they could not defeat their opponent, coach Ishii Masatada immediately changed tactics and asked his players to maintain the score of 0-0. At that time, 1 point was enough for Thailand to advance and this coach admitted that he had deliberately held the opponent to a draw.

In the match against Saudi Arabia, Thailand only had 4 shots but 2 of them went into the Saudi Arabian net. Unfortunately, the goal was not recognized for the Southeast Asian representative. They ended the match with 1 point thanks to a brilliant performance from the defenders and goalkeeper Anuin.

The Thai team will meet the Uzbekistan team in the round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup. There will be interesting confrontations between the Thai League stars and striker Igor Sergeev - the center forward of BG Pathum United playing in the Thai League.