Thailand boosted their hopes of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Sri Lanka at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo.
Both sides needed a win to be in contention to qualify for the Asian Cup while the hosts were without their regular captain and custodian Sujan Perera, due to an illness. He was replaced by Kaveesh Fernando.
Thailand got off to a great start, taking the lead after seven minutes thanks to a stunning Thanawat Suengchitthawon long range striker that swerved past a fully-stretched Kaveesh Fernando and nestled in the top corner.
Hosts Sri Lanka came close to an equalizer but Dillon De Silva’s rebound effort went wide following up on a Jason Thayaparan low shot from outside the box which Patiwat Khammai had to push away.
Rain dampened the rest of the first half action with Teerasak Poeiphimai’s header from a Seksan Ratree chip in the 39th minute that went wide, the only notable chance as Thailand held on to their slim advantage at the break.
Half Time: Sri Lanka 0 – 1 Thailand
With a couple of attacking changes at the break, bringing in Wade Dekker and Waseem Razeek sacrificing Anujan Rajendram and Zahi Addis, Sri Lanka came out for the second half looking hungrier.
However, they only had a weak Claudio Claudio Kammerknecht header to show in the first 15 minutes of the second half. The South Asian side’s inability to create during their period of dominance was punished by Thailand in the 65th minute when Supachok Sarachat produced a teasing cross to an unmarked Jude Soonsup-Bell to power a header home.
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The visitors made sure of the points with another header 12 minutes later, this time Look Saa Mickelson providing the cross from the right flank with Pansa Hemviboon towering over Garrett Kelly to nod past a rooted Fernando.
Soonsup-Bell claimed a second goal in the 90th minute, sweeping home Suphanan’s cross to seal a dominant win for Thailand.
Seeking a third straight Finals appearance, Thailand’s fate will be decided when they face Turkmenistan in their final Group D fixture on March 31.
Full Time: Sri Lanka 0 – 4 Thailand
Match Summary
Goal Scorers
Thailand: Thanawat Suengchitthawon 7’, Jude Soonsup-Bell 66’ & 90’, Pansa Hemviboon 77’
Turkmenistan v Chinese Taipei
In the other game in Group D, Turkmenistan saw off a determined challenge to beat Chinese Taipei 3-1 to ensure they stayed very much in the hunt.
Turkmenistan started on the front foot with Didar Durdiyev pulling his effort just wide of the left post and the Central Asian side’s high-pressing game reduced Chinese Taipei to counter-attacks.
The breakthrough came in the 13th minute after Rahman Myratberdiyev cut away from his marker on the left and tucked the ball past rooted Chinese Taipei custodian Tuan Hsuan.
Turkmenistan should have scored again in the 35th minute but Tuan Hsuan stood firm to save Elman Tagayev’s powerful drive from just above the box.
Having weathered incessant pressure, Chinese Taipei struck against the run of play in the second minute of added time with Emilio Estevez lobbing a weighted pass off a set-piece to Ange Kouame to volley home past Turkmenistan keeper Rustem Ahallyyev.
Turkmenistan regained their lead in the 53rd minute through Elman Tagayev as they took firm control of the match again.
Meylis Diniyev then rose highest to nod past Tuan Hsuan in the 78th minute after Mirza Beknazarov delivered the perfect cross off a free-kick to seal the three points for Turkmenistan.
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