Thailand U-23 had Jonathan Khemdee to thank as his late goal saved the Changsuek from the jaws of defeat in a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia U-23 in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday night.
The U-23 teams of Thailand and Vietnam took part in this year’s Doha Cup alongside the U-23 teams of West Asian nations Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Kuwait, the Kyrgyzstan U-23 squad, as well as South Korea U-23. Both Thailand and Vietnam are seeking to use the Doha Cup to prepare their squads for the upcoming 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia this coming May.
Taking on the reigning AFC U-23 Cup champions Saudi Arabia, Thailand took a shock lead in the 10th minute through Port FC’s Teerasak Poeiphimai, however the Saudis drew level in the 23rd minute through a Mohammed Marran header.
The Green Eagles then took the lead in controversial manner in the 47th minute through another header, this time it was Rayan Hamed who scored. The controversial part came after it was discovered that Hamed was possibly in an offside position when he stabbed home Saudi Arabia’s second goal, however the goal remained valid and Saudi Arabia still have their lead.
With Saudi Arabia bracing themselves for victory, former Odense BK man Khemdee came into Thailand’s rescue in the fifth minute of injury time, blasting home a header from a Channarong Promsikaew free-kick.
While Thailand could celebrate an important draw against tougher opposition, Vietnam had no such luck as Iraq U-23 thrashed the Golden Dragons 3-0 in their Doha Cup opener.