An undermanned Thailand squad frustrated Azkals U19, 3-2, Saturday in the Asian Football Confederation U20 Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers at the Al-Saadah Sports Complex in Salalah, Oman.
With the score at 2-2 and the Thais playing with 10 men inside the pitch, Peeranan Buakai scored the winning goal in the 89th minute as The War Elephants remained undefeated in Group G after two games.
Martin Joshua Remiño scored the first goal of the match in the seventh minute before Thai midfielder Thanakrit Laorkai equzlied in the 14th minute.
Kamil Jaser Amirul then scored in the 28th minute for the Azkals with Phuwanet Thongkhui tying the game in the 49th minute.
Laorkai earned a red card after kicking Filipino goalkeeper Cesar Castro III in the face in the 64th minute.
The Thais, who won shut out Afghanistan, 3-0, last Friday, are on top of Group G and have a good chance of making it into next year’s U20 Asian Cup.
The Azkals stay in the bottom of the group, their hopes of making it to next year’s Asian Cup gone.
They opened their Group G campaign with a 3-0 loss against Oman last Thursday.
Teams which top each group and the five squads with the best second-place records will qualify for the 2023 AFC U20 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan.
The Philippines will now try to end its campaign with a win against the Afghans tonight at 9 (Manila time).
