BANGKOK (22 November 2023) – Thailand bounced back to pick up their first win in a Group C tie of the second-round qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after beating Singapore 3-1 last night.
In the match that was played at the National Stadium in Singapore, the visiting Thai side made sure of the points off a brace from Suphanat Mueanta (67th and 87th minute) following the early fifth minute strike from Supachok Sarachat.
Singapore’s only goal of the game came through Shawal Anuar in the 41st minute.
The win has at least alleviated some pressure for Thailand after losing 2-1 to China last week in their opening game of Group C at home at the Rajamangala Stadium.
For Singapore, the loss meant that they are rooted at the bottom of the table after losing 5-0 to South Korea last week.
Other winners in the second-round qualifiers last night were Australia who edged Palestine 1-0 while Malaysia uprooted Chinese Taipei by the same scoreline in Taipei City.
Australia stayed perfect in Group I with the lone strike from Harry Souttar in the 18th minute as Malaysia also maintained their winning run in Group D off Darren Lok’s scrambling finish in the 72nd minute.
In Group F, the Philippines and Indonesia played out a 1-1 draw at the Rizal Memorial Stadium for both teams to pick up their first point of the qualifiers.
Patrick Reichelt had given the home team the lead in the 23rd minute before Saddil Ramdani then equalised for Indonesia in the 70th minute.
In the other match of the group, Vietnam suffered heartbreak at home at the My Dinh National Stadium when they were done in by a late, late goal from Iraq’s Mohanad Ali Al-Shammari deep in injury time.
On the other hand, Myanmar suffered their second loss in Group B after succumbing to a 6-1 defeat to North Korea at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon.
The next match of the qualifiers will only be played on 21 March 2024.
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