Football
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...
Live Updates
- 4 Jun 2025 1:15 PM GMT
43' | Thailand 1 - 0 India
Over the past few minutes, India appear to have switched gears.
Their passing has improved, they're able to hold possession a lot more as well and this has resulted in a couple of shots on target for India.
- 4 Jun 2025 1:12 PM GMT
39' | Thailand 1 - 0 India
A couple of quick and back-to-back offensive moves from India.
Much better this from the Blue tigers.
A cross from the right almost finds Sunil Chhetri in the box, but he is denied by the Thai defense.
Abhishek collects the ball outside the Thai box and lets fly a long ranger, which is just wide of the Thai goal.
- 4 Jun 2025 1:06 PM GMT
33' | Thailand 1 - 0 India
Liston sprints down the left flank with the ball at his feet.
He beats a defender and lays a pass towards the center of the Thai box, but the final Indian finish lacks power.
A golden chance goes abegging for India.
- 4 Jun 2025 1:02 PM GMT
30' | Thailand 1 - 0 India
Anwar Ali with a crucial stop in the Indian box thwarts an Thai offensive in front of goal.
India on the defensive.
- 4 Jun 2025 1:00 PM GMT
29' | Thailand 1 - 0 India
Short, swift passes and the occasional long ranger - that's been Thailand's gameplan so far.
And it has worked.
- 4 Jun 2025 12:57 PM GMT
23' | Thailand 1 - 0 India
India comes close to scoring.
Liston with a curling free kick into the box from the left flank finds a glancing Sunil Chhetri header, who sends the ball towards the far corner.
The Thai keeper, however, is up to the task and puts in a dive to come up with the ball.
India's fist real attack on the Thai goal.
- 4 Jun 2025 12:52 PM GMT
21' | Thailand 1 - 0 India
Its been very easy for Thailand to find space and get counter attacks going into India's final third so far.
- 4 Jun 2025 12:51 PM GMT
18' | Thailand 1 - 0 India
A Thai freekick from the left flank is headed out by the Indian defense, only as far as the edge of the box where a left-footed curler from Thailand flies just wide of the far upright.
India heave a sigh of relief.
- 4 Jun 2025 12:47 PM GMT
15' | Thailand 1 - 0 India
Thailand employing a high press...they're chasing down back passes to the Indian keeper.
A clearance from Vishal is intercepted by the Thai forward in front of goal...fortunately, the deflection goes out of bounce.
- 4 Jun 2025 12:44 PM GMT
12' | Thailand 1 - 0 India
India unable to string passes together and move down the field.
Thailand, on the contrary, are playing long through balls and giving the Indian defense an early headache.
