India are set for a challenging pre-test against Thailand before their vital AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier clash against Hong Kong on 10 June. After a disappointing draw against Bangladesh in the opening round, the Blue Tigers have been leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to bounce back in the qualifying campaign.
Preparations began in Kolkata on 19 May, where the team played two consecutive warm-up matches against local opposition. The squad then travelled to Thailand, where they will test their readiness against the hosts, currently ranked 99th in the FIFA Rankings — 28 spots above India (127th).
Chhangte: “Focused, Motivated, and Ready”
“We’ve been working really hard for these two matches. Everyone is focused, motivated, and doing everything possible to win. We know Thailand are a strong side, but our focus is on ourselves. If we can execute what we’ve been training for, I believe we have a good chance to win,” said winger Lallianzuala Chhangte on the eve of the match.
Thailand, who also failed to progress to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, will face Turkmenistan in their AFC Asian Cup qualifier on 10 June. Both sides will be keen to assess their preparation ahead of the crucial fixtures next week.
A Rivalry Rooted in History
India and Thailand share a rich footballing history, dating back to the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, where India secured a 4-1 victory. The two nations have clashed 26 times, with Thailand winning 12, India 7, and 7 matches ending in draws. Notably, India emerged victorious in both their last meetings in 2019 — a stunning 4-1 win at the AFC Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi, followed by a 1-0 win to claim bronze at the King’s Cup in Thailand.
“I know India won the last two matches against Thailand, but I wasn’t involved in those. Every match is different — the teams, the year, everything has changed. I believe both sides are in a similar situation now. I’m expecting a good match, and of course, we’re here with the intention to win,” stated India’s head coach Manolo Márquez.
Thailand’s Rise Under Ishii
Since Japanese coach Masatada Ishii took charge of Thailand in December 2023, the team has shown significant improvement, jumping 14 places in the FIFA Rankings. Under his guidance, they reached the Round of 16 at the AFC Asian Cup just a month into his tenure. Although they narrowly missed out on advancing to the third round of World Cup Qualifiers — finishing behind South Korea and China — 2024 has been largely successful for Thailand. They won the King’s Cup by defeating the Philippines and Syria and were runners-up in the ASEAN Championship, losing 3-5 on aggregate to Vietnam.
Overseas Talent and Tactical Threats
Thailand’s squad boasts several players with overseas experience. Midfielder Jaroensak Wonggorn plays for Cerezo Osaka in Japan’s top division, Ekanit Panya features for Ehime FC in the Japanese second tier, and central defender Elias Dolah plies his trade at Bali United in Indonesia. Domestically, BG Pathum United and Muangthong United are the key contributors, providing five and four players respectively.
Their friendly against India serves as a crucial preparation match before facing Turkmenistan. Earlier in March, Thailand opened their Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Sri Lanka — a result that Márquez felt was harsh on the island nation.
Prominent names in the Thai line-up include captain and experienced midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin (70 caps), forward Supachai Chaided, Swedish-born defender Elias Dolah, talented midfielder Ben Davis — who has scored three goals in just six international appearances — and Italy-born centre-back Marco Ballini, who stands at an imposing 2 metres.
“Thailand have some fantastic players — a mix of seasoned veterans and young talents. They’ve been doing really well in recent matches. We’ve analysed their style of play closely. If we give them space, they can hurt us. So, we’re very aware of the threat they pose. Hopefully, it’ll be a good match,” said Chhangte, acknowledging the strength of the opposition.
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