Thailand may have posted an emphatic 3-1 win over regional rivals Singapore in their final Group C match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying second round, however Ikhsan Fandi’s consolation goal meant that the Changsuek‘s World Cup aspirations went up in smokes as China’s superior head-to-head record ensured the East Asians would progress into both the third round and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup at Thailand’s expense.
With China losing 1-0 to group winners South Korea, in the end they and Thailand have identical points, goals scored, goals conceded, and goal difference, which means that the two were separated by their head-to-head records.
China’s 2-1 win in Bangkok all the way back in November proved to be decisive, with a 1-1 draw in Shenyang on June 6th meant that Thailand could only muster one point from their meeting with the East Asians, whilst China had collected four points off the Changsuek, sealing Branko Ivankovic’s men their place in the qualifying third round.
But things could have gone differently for Hajime Moriyasu’s Thailand, especially since they’re hosting a Singapore side whose World Cup dreams had long been buried at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. Knowing that Son Heung-min’s South Korea would most likely do their part in their match against China in Seoul, Thailand would only have to beat Singapore by a sizeable margin in order to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
The home side almost took an early lead in the fourth minute when Suphanat Mueanta outmaneuvered his marker on the right flank, combined effectively with Supachai Chaided, but his shot from inside the box was blocked by Safuwan Baharudin.
Thailand’s pressure continued as Theerathon Bunmathan seized the ball on the left, sending in a precise cross that Supachai failed to control, squandering another chance.
In the 15th minute, Thailand’s finishing woes persisted with Chanathip Songkrasin and Supachai missing clear opportunities from inside the area, and Suphanan Bureerat’s long-range attempt was blocked.
Another golden opportunity came in the 26th minute when Supachok Sarachat powered through the defense and unleashed a strong shot, forcing a save from Singapore keeper Hassan Sunny. The rebound fell to Supachai, who fumbled in front of goal.
Thailand finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Theerathon’s well-placed delivery found Chanathip, who cut back into the crowded box from a set-piece, allowing Suphanat to slot the ball home with ease. 1-0 Thailand and with both South Korea and China still locked in a 0-0 stalemate, the Changsuek knew that they had to build a sizeable advantage and hope that the Taeguk Warriors would strike first in their own match.
Early in the second half, Thailand could have doubled their lead. Suphanan Bureerat penetrated the box but Supachai’s miskick allowed Sunny to collect the ball easily. Sarach Yooyen’s volleyed effort just two minutes later slipped through Sunny’s hands, only to deflect off the left post.
Nightmare than struck the Thailand camp as Singapore took advantage on those missed opportunities in the 57th minute. Ikshan, son of Singaporean footballing great Fandi Ahmad and ironically plying his trade in the Thai League 1 with BG Pathum United, collected a Glenn Kweh pass and fired an absolute screamer from outside the box, stunning the Thai faithful packing the Rajamangala stands.
Shortly afterwards news filtered in from Seoul as Lee Kang-in gave Thailand a glimmer of hope, with his 61st minute goal giving South Korea a narrow lead over China.
With the Chinese losing and their goal difference within catching distance, Thailand would only have to score three more goals and seal themselves a 4-1 win to leapfrog their East Asian counterparts and clinch that ticket into the third round.
Motivated, the Changsuek immediately set out to regain their lead and they did just that in the 79th minute when Theerathon assisted Poramet Arjvirai, who struck the ball into the bottom right corner. Jaroensak Wonggorn then added a third goal in the 86th minute, heading home from close range.
As no further goals were scored in the South Korea-China match, Thailand kept pushing on for that one final goal that would see them through, but unfortunately Ikhsan’s stunning consolation would proved to be Thailand’s undoing as the Changsuek were unable to score that decisive goal within the remaining time, thus missing out on both the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and direct qualification to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup by the narrowest of margins.