This Tuesday Decides the Fate!!!
Marking the end of March, this Tuesday the 31st
It is truly a crucial day of anticipation for our nation’s football scene.
It starts with the “championship chase” in the afternoon, featuring Coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul’s young War Elephants U23 team in the final match of the four-nation tournament in Xi’an, China.
If the Thai players can defeat North Korea, they will immediately claim the tournament trophy.
But if it’s a draw, we must hope the hosts fail to beat Vietnam in the second match for us to win.
This game will be broadcast live by Thairath TV HD channel 32 for football fans to watch and cheer at 2:00 p.m. Thai time.
Along with all Thairath’s social platforms, including www.thairath.co.th/tv/live, Facebook: Thairath TV at www.facebook.com/ThairathTV,
Thairath Sport at www.facebook.com/ThairathSport, and YouTube: Thairath Sport.
Similarly, on the same evening, the “Thairath Cheers Thailand NEW ERA” campaign will deliver continuous excitement to Thai football fans.
It features the sixth and final match of Group D in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers—a decisive game.
This match will determine which team will top the group and secure a ticket to the final tournament in Saudi Arabia, contested between the senior Thai national team and visiting Turkmenistan.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Rajamangala Stadium.
If possible, I encourage fans to come cheer at the stadium; tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/3Zs3vDG, at 11 main Thai Ticket Major branches, or via all official sales channels.
If inconvenient or concerned about fuel costs, you can watch on our Thairath TV channel.
The only condition for the War Elephants under coach Anthony Hudson is to secure a victory and earn 3 points.
Any other result, whether a draw or a home loss, would mean the end of the road immediately!!
Therefore, our Thai national team must do everything possible to leave the field as the sole “winner” with no other options.
Granted, this Turkmenistan squad may have a FIFA ranking somewhat lower than ours.
But the football DNA from the former Soviet states should not be underestimated... it’s formidable!
Otherwise, Coach Masatada Ishii would have already led the War Elephants to a defeat by them last year.
Resulting in a tough and nerve-wracking fight to qualify, right up to this game?
It is said that the loss to Turkmenistan was a key reason Coach Ishii was later dismissed from the national team.
This caused turmoil among Thai football fans, dividing them clearly into two camps.
One side supported the “Samurai Coach,” believing his sudden dismissal was unfair.
The other supported the Football Association, saying the change was necessary before it was too late.
They cheer for the new coach stepping up to the challenge, Anthony Hudson, hoping he succeeds.
The key test is clear: if Thailand beats Turkmenistan, everything will proceed smoothly and the national team’s development can continue steadily.
But if they fail and get eliminated, there will be a backlash from Ishii’s fans, ready to criticize harshly.
One of the “frontline figures” awaiting this crucial outcome is “The Tuck” Piyapong Piew-on, the all-time top scorer for Thailand.
He is the football council member most affected by the heavy criticism and harsh backlash from fans after Ishii’s dismissal last year.
The criticism was unprecedented in intensity.
Even though the decision was not made solely by him or those subordinate to him.
But as a major “superstar” bearing the image of the football council, “The Tuck” had to bear full responsibility.
He has even declared he will stake his own position within the association.
This is tied to the outcome of the upcoming “Thailand vs. Turkmenistan” match this Tuesday evening.
Whether the result is positive or negative, the War Elephants alone will decide the fate!!!
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.- Bee Bangpakong -