Singapore: Thailand came back from 2-0 down to overcome Singapore 4-2 in a thrilling encounter on Tuesday and book their place in the semi-finals of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024.
The Lions had shown their bite in the first half, finding themselves two goals to the good thanks to two stunning strikes, and two goal of the tournament contenders - one from Shanwal Anuar on 10 minutes and the other from Faris Ramli on 34 to give the hosts a very deserved two-goal lead.
But Patrik Gustavsson pulled a goal back for Thailand on the stroke of half-time to make manager Masatada Ishii’s half-time team talk a touch easier, and then seven minutes into the second half, Suphanat Mueanta headed home the equaliser.
Thailand had to wait until deep into second-half stoppage time to take the lead though, with Peeradol Chamrasamee netting in the 99th-minute minute before a fourth was added in the 104th by Teerasak Poeiphimai.
For all of Thailand’s slick passing moves and ability to get the ball down and play, their first chance of the evening came via a long-ranger from Weerathep Pomphan but goalkeeper Izwann Mahbud had it well-scouted.
But then, in a devastating counter-attack, and one which saw goalkeeper Mahbud register an assist, Singapore took a 10th-minute lead through Shawal Anuar.
Thailand had been looking to work their way into the box but a cross from the left by Anan Yodsangwal was plucked out of the air by Mahbud who then released it quickly, finding Anuar. The first touch was perfect, as too the finish - a bullet into the far corner from just outside the box and an entry for goal of the tournament.
The goal provided the Lions with a boost in confidence and they very nearly made it 2-0 on 13 minutes through a Faris header.
Thailand came agonisingly close to leveling on 17 minutes through Suphanat and had it not been for a goal-line clearance by Ryhan Stewart then they certainly would have been.
But when Singapore did break forward, they looked dangerous and on 33 minutes, they doubled their lead with another entry for goal of the tournament. This time it was Faris who found the top corner from 20 yards out, curling in after space seemed to open up in front of him perfectly.
But in first-half stoppage time, Thailand issued a retort. Gustavsson was picked out in the box by Anan before duly burying the ball into the back of the net.
Thailand got the match restarted and at 2-1, with the game there for the taking, they began the second half brightly. The equaliser came on 51 minutes, stemming from Singapore failing to clear a corner. A cross from deep, sent back in by Anan, was nodded in by Suphanat from six yards out.
Thailand thought they’d completed a magnificent comeback on 70 minutes when a teasing corner from the right made its way to Pansa Hemviboon, but the defender was adjudged to have fouled the goalkeeper before getting the final touch.
Thailand pushed for a third goal and did eventually find it, but not before a long and tortuous VAR review for offside. However, Peeradol was adjudged to have been onside when the ball over the top from Worachit Kanitsribumphen was dinked into him, and the other Thai players who were standing in offside positions were deemed to be not interfering with play.
Thailand then put the game beyond doubt in the 104th minute thanks to Teerasak’s close-range effort at the near post. Following more than 15 minutes of time added on, the referee drew the match to a close and it was Thailand who earned the three points.
In the last match of the group stage, Thailand host Cambodia on Friday, December 20 while Singapore are away to Malaysia on the same day.
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