Today's score: Thailand's national football team defeated Turkmenistan, securing their ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup final round in Saudi Arabia.
On 31 March 2026 GMT+7, the final Group D match of the 2027 Asian Cup third qualifying round took place at Rajamangala Stadium, where Thailand faced Turkmenistan with a spot in the finals in Saudi Arabia at stake.
Thailand needed a win to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup finals, while Turkmenistan only required a draw due to a superior head-to-head record, having won the first leg 3-1 on 10 June last year.
In the 8th minute of the first half, Thailand nearly took the lead. Suphanat Bureerat advanced down the right flank near the endline and crossed to Thanawat Suengchitthawon, who headed the ball forcefully downward, but it was saved by Rasul Shariev.
At the 14th minute, Thailand scored first from a right-side corner kick. Theerathon Bunmathan delivered the ball into the box, reaching Suphanat Bureerat, who headed it unmarked into the net.
In the 23rd minute, Thailand almost doubled their lead. Supachai Jaided quickly took a free kick, passing to Thanawat Suengchitthawon, who shot from outside the box. The ball deflected off a Turkmenistan defender's foot and narrowly missed the post, but the referee did not see it and awarded a goal kick.
Thailand had further chances to add to their score but none were clear. The first half ended with Thailand leading Turkmenistan 1-0.
In the second half, Anthony Hudson, Thailand's coach, substituted Supachok Sarachat in for Anan Yodsangwal, who had received a yellow card in the first half.
At 51 minutes, Supachai Jaided attempted a long-range shot from midfield, catching the goalkeeper off his line, but Rasul Shariev retreated quickly to parry the ball out for a corner, despite the shot being off target.
At the 60th minute, Turkmenistan equalized 1-1. Teimur Shariev surged forward and struck a powerful shot from outside the box that passed through a block and beat Patiphan Kamphai, hitting the corner of the net.
Two minutes later, Thailand nearly regained the lead. Suphanat Bureerat advanced into the penalty area and passed back to Chanathip Songkrasin, who took a strong shot, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar.
In the 71st minute, Anthony Hudson made a triple substitution for Thailand, bringing on Jud Sunthapsup-Bell, Iqlas Sanharn, and Sarach Yooyen to replace Nicholas Mickelson, Thanawat Suengchitthawon, and Supachai Jaided.
At the 78th minute, Thailand made another substitution, sending Sekson Ratri on for Kritsada Kaman to strengthen their attack as they pushed for a winning goal against Turkmenistan.
At 86 minutes, Jud Sunthapsup-Bell dribbled past defenders on the left and took a shot inside the box, which deflected off a defender and went out for a corner. Manuel Tom Bihr then attempted a close-range shot inside the six-yard box but was blocked again, resulting in another corner.
At the 89th minute, Thailand scored the winning goal 2-1. From a corner kick, Theerathon Bunmathan curved the ball to Manuel Tom Bihr, who headed it powerfully into the net, thrilling fans across the nation.
The match ended with Thailand winning 2-1, increasing their total to 15 points and overtaking Turkmenistan, who had 12 points, to become Group D champions and secure qualification to the 2027 Asian Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
(Formation 5-4-1): Patiphan Kamphai (goalkeeper), Suphanat Bureerat, Manuel Tom Bihr, Kritsada Kaman, Jonathan Khemdee, Nicholas Mickelson, Chanathip Songkrasin (captain), Thanawat Suengchitthawon, Theerathon Bunmathan, Anan Yodsangwal, Supachai Jaided.