Proving the True ASEAN Futsal Champions
Let's give a big round of applause to the success of the Chaba Kaew women's futsal players.
They rose to claim the ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship 2026 title for the first time in history.
After defeating the Australian Matildas in an exhilarating 5-4 match.
In the fiercely intense and thrilling final game.
This final can truly be called a "five-star" match.
Anyone who watched the game live at Terminal 21 Korat yesterday was extremely lucky!
In the first half, the Thai women led 2-1 thanks to a brace by Sangravee Meekham.
But the second half felt like a completely different story when Australia equalized and then took a 3-2 lead.
This made the fans’ hearts drop to their ankles!
Before the Thai national team rallied with three consecutive goals, all from a hat-trick by “Poo” Darika Pianpaayaloon.
She is the top scorer of the women's futsal team who previously made history with a hat-trick at the 2025 World Cup in the Philippines.
This allowed the team to overturn the score and eventually beat Australia.
They proudly lifted the ASEAN championship trophy as they had long wished.
This awaited championship for the Thai women and Coach O Thanathorn Santhanaprasit marked their first trophy win.
Importantly, it was the first championship of 2026 for the Football Association of Thailand, bringing happiness.
It also served as a pre-birthday celebration for “President Pang” Nuansap Lamsam, the iron lady of Thai football, born this month.
After last year, the national teams’ performances were not quite on target.
Madam Pang and Big Pom Adisak Benjasiriwan rewarded the team with a bonus of 2 million baht.
To recognize the outstanding achievement of the Thai women’s futsal team.
They brought pride and great happiness to football fans across the country.
In this ASEAN tournament,
they started by avenging a 3-0 group stage win over Indonesia and then crushed Malaysia 8-0.
They went on to defeat defending champions and SEA Games gold medalists Vietnam 4-2 in the semifinals.
And sealed the title with a 5-4 victory over Australia in the final.
In total, they won all four matches in regulation time, scoring 20 goals and conceding six.
This restored faith and confidence in the Thai women’s futsal team among fans.
Erasing the disappointment from last year’s World Cup and SEA Games where they missed the gold medal on home soil.
This success is the result of hard work and dedication by everyone involved in Thai futsal recently.
Not only Coach O Thanathorn and the players deserve credit for this achievement.
But also Big Tae Krisada Sajakul, the team manager, and Air Marshal Surasak Meemanee, chairman of the organizing committee.
Along with Coach Mee Rakphon Sainetngam, the head coach of the senior men’s futsal team, who fully supported Coach O.
They all deserve praise for their sacrifice, effort, and dedication in serving the nation.
Importantly, one must not forget the “wind beneath the wings” of Thai futsal through every era.
Such as Big Pom Adisak Benjasiriwan, vice president of the Football Association responsible for futsal development.
Previously, he was deeply troubled by criticism that Thai futsal was in decline.
Now, he can surely smile with the ASEAN women’s futsal championship trophy in hand.
One remaining mission is chasing the ASEAN title for the men’s futsal team.
At the ASEAN Futsal Championship 2026 set to take place next month.
From 5-11 April 2026, Thailand will again host the tournament at the Nonthaburi Provincial Gymnasium.
With the women’s team having already won their championship, hopes are high that the men’s team will also lift the trophy.
Only then can we truly call ourselves the “Real ASEAN Futsal Champions.”
- Bee Bangpakong -