Bangkok –
Journey Thailand in the second round 2026 World Cup Qualification Asia zone ended tragically. Even though they were able to beat Singapore 3-1 in the final match of Group C, Masatada Ishii’s team still failed to progress to the next phase because they lost head-to-head to China.
Playing at Rajamangala Stadium, Tuesday (11/6/2024), the hosts took the lead through Suphanat Mueanta’s goal in the 37th minute. Ikhsan Fandi equalized the score in the 57th minute, but goals from Poramet Arjvirai (79′) and Jaroensak Wonggorn (86′) ensured the three points for Thailand.
This victory made Thailand collect 8 points from six matches, but they had to settle for finishing in third place because in the other match, China ‘only’ lost 0-1 to South Korea. Lee Kang-in’s goal was the only one that was able to break through Wang Dalei’s goal.
China finished second with eight points, the same as Thailand. In fact, the difference in goals between the two teams is also the same, namely breaking through the opponent 9 times and conceding 9 times. In cases like this, FIFA determines the results of the meeting between the two teams as the next calculating factor. This is where China excels.
In the first meeting in Bangkok in November 2022, China won 2-1. Then when the two teams met again in Shenyang in June 2024, Thailand, which had taken the lead, finally had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Thus, it was China who advanced to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone, accompanying South Korea as winners of Group C with 16 points. Meanwhile, Thailand and Singapore, which occupy positions 3-4, will take part in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifications.
(adp/pur)
