Missed chances cost Blue Tigers again as they go down in Thailand friendly

India’s build-up for the crucial upcoming 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier suffered a blow when they lost 2-0 to a well organised Thailand side in a FIFA international friendly in Pathum Thani on Wednesday. The result will only crease head coach Manolo Marquez’s forehead further ahead of their fixture against Hong Kong on 10 June.

The recent balance sheet of the Blue Tigers, hence, continues to be a dismal one with eight losses, six draws and one win against Maldives since November 2023. The odd sparks of brilliance, as was evident in the second half of the friendly against a higher ranked Thailand, was of no avail due to poor finishes and faulty passing inside the rival attacking third.  

Placed 99th in the FIFA World Rankings, Thailand started the brighter of the two sides and made their early dominance count. In just the eighth minute, Phitiwat Sookjitthammakul found Korawich Tasa near the edge of the Indian box. Tasa smartly laid it off for Ben Davis, who took a deft first touch to steady himself before unleashing a thunderous right-footed shot past India goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.

However, the early setback did not deter the Blue Tigers as they gradually grew into the game - using the width of the pitch to stretch the Thailand defence. Liston Colaco, operating fluently between midfield and the left flank, was a standout performer, combining with the ageless Sunil Chhetri and forward Ashique Kuruniyan.

India’s first opportunity to level the score in the first half came in the 24th minute. Colaco delivered a teasing freekick from the left which Chhetri met with a header, but Thailand goalkeeper Saranon Anuin dived to his left to pull off a sharp save.

The momentum began to shift slightly in India’s favour from there on. A golden opportunity came in first-half stoppage time when Chhetri played a sublime through ball from midfield to find Colaco’s run, splitting the Thai defence. The nifty Colaco fumbled with the one-on-one chance as Saranon narrowed the angle to thwart the danger with a save.

India resumed the second half with renewed intent and Colaco tested the Thailand keeper once again with a curling free-kick from just outside the area. However, their failure to capitalise on chances proved costly.

Then on the hour, a mispass in midfield handed Thailand possession. Spotting goalkeeper Kaith slightly off his line, Poramet curled a magnificent effort into the top right corner to double Thailand’s lead and deflate Indian hopes.