India suffers a 2-3 defeat to Thailand in the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers

India put up a tough fight but lost 2-3 to Thailand in a thrilling match of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers here on Sunday. The loss means India will have to wait for the results of the other group stage matches before knowing their fate regarding progression to the next round. India needed just a draw to finish in the top five and progress to the next round.

It was clear from the start that the Blue Colts would face a tough challenge, unlike those in the previous two games against Brunei Darussalam and Turkmenistan. The Indian defense and goalkeepers were tested more in the first quarter of this match than in the previous two combined. As it was, they survived.

The game itself swayed from one side to the other. The hectic nature favored Thailand, which was backed by a supportive crowd.

The goal was scored in the 34th minute. First, Md Arbash was fouled in the penalty area while dealing with an air ball. From the ensuing penalty, captain Ngamgouhou Mate made no mistake and placed the ball into the top corner past a diving Supakorn Poonphol to give India the lead.

However, it didn’t last long. Thailand hit back with speed within two minutes. Phuriphon Photong came in from the left and exchanged passes at the top of the penalty area before pulling the trigger from a tight angle. The shot was deflected and went off the near post, straight into the path of Siwakorn Ponsan, who fired it into an empty net from a few yards out.

Six minutes later the pendulum swung again and this was the winner. After a series of headed clearances, Rishi Singh picked up the ball near the corner flag and drove a cross into the box. The ball came off the head of a Thai defender and floated towards the top of the penalty area. Vishal Yadav, who was standing there, took the shot on the volley and hit it perfectly and hard, leaving the Thai goalkeeper with no chance to save it.

Thailand found a second equalizer just on the hour mark, with Siwakorn Ponsan scoring again by tapping in a perfect cross from inside the six-yard box.

With both groups of players tiring in the humid conditions, mistimed tackles soon became the norm, and players from both sides went down regularly.

With four minutes to go, Thailand scored the decisive goal when Chaiwat Ngoenma grabbed a long ball from behind and finished expertly on the volley. As time went on, India became increasingly desperate for an equalizer, but that was not to be as Thailand held on to win.