FIFA international friendly: India go down to Thailand: HIGHLIGHTS
India used the game to prep for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Hong Kong.
The Indian men's football team in training ahead of the fixture against Thailand. (Photo credit: X@IndianFootball)
It was time for the Indian men’s national team to see some international action and on Wednesday, they took on Thailand in a FIFA International Friendly at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani.
The game was a precursor for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Hong Kong scheduled to be be played on June 10 in Kowloon City.
The Blue Tigers are ranked 127th, while Thailand are 99th on the FIFA Rankings.
The head-to-head reads seven wins for India, 12 for Thailand, and seven draws.
That said, the last two encounters were won by India in 2019. A sensational 4-1 win at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 in Abu Dhabi, before a narrow 1-0 victory to win bronze at the King's Cup on Thai soil.
Thailand, however, turned the tables on India on the night. While they capitalized on the chances that came their way, India did not. And that, in the end, was the difference between the two sides.
As it happened...
It was a tale of missed chances for India on the night.
While Thailand looked the more organised team, India were scrappy for vast portions of the game.
That said, there were moments of real opportunity for India and when they look back it will be a case of what might have been.
Speaking to the broadcasters after the game, skipper Jhingan mentioned the missed opportunities.
"Learning is that you need to take your chances. given the circumstances, we wanted to try a few thing, we created chances. That's a positive sign. There were negatives, we will watch the videos and try to do better."
When asked for a message to the Indian fans, he mentioned that the emphasis was on the results.
"Whatever I say won't do much. we need to get results. I take full responsibility. We'll try out best for the 10th to take 3-points forward," he concluded.
And that's all that we have from our coverage of India's FIFA international friendly against Thailand.
Thank you for staying with us.
Good night.
A free kick for India from the right flank finds Anwar Ali, whose header flies over the cross bar.
That pretty much sums up the night for India.
With just the keeper to beat, India shoot wide.
A left footed curler is just wide of the Thai upright.
Another chance goes abegging for India...there have been so many for India on the night.
Sunil Chhetri has now come off...he is done for the day.
A skilled header in the first half, which needed a strong save and a denied penalty ask in the second half, were his two big moments of the night.
Vishal makes a strong stop, with outstretched arms, to deny a third for Thailand.
The Thai players, under hot and humid conditions, are pulling up repeatedly...they make a double change.
India losing possession repeatedly in this second half.
Thailand, on the contrary, are completely controlling this game.
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