AFC Asian Cup
They will, however, have to be at their best to navigate past pre-tournament favourites Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyz Republic and Oman in Group F.
Factfile
FIFA World Ranking: 112
Previous Appearances: 7
Best Finish: Third - 1972
2019 Result: Round of 16
Head Coach: Masatada Ishii (JPN)
Fun Fact: Five of Thailand’s seven previous appearances in the AFC Asian Cup was achieved consecutively between the 1992 and 2007 ediitons
Previous Appearances: 7
Best Finish: Third - 1972
2019 Result: Round of 16
Head Coach: Masatada Ishii (JPN)
Fun Fact: Five of Thailand’s seven previous appearances in the AFC Asian Cup was achieved consecutively between the 1992 and 2007 ediitons
Round of 16: Thailand vs China
Having missed the previous two editions, Thailand returned to the continental stage in 2019 and went on to record their best result since a third-place finish in 1972.
They qualified for the Round of 16 after bouncing back from a 4-1 defeat to India in their opening Group A tie, with China PR ending their journey with a 2-1 win.
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The target will be to do even better at Qatar 2023 but there will be a feeling of unfamiliarity in the team following Masatada Ishii's appointment as head coach, with the Japanese tactician taking over from Manuel Polking just last week.
Ishii, however, is well versed with Thai football - having led Buriram United to league titles in 2022 and 2023.
Thailand's Group F fixtures
January 16
v Kyrgyz Republic (17:30 local time, Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium)
January 21
v Oman (17:30 local time, Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium)
January 25
v Saudi Arabia (18:00 local time, Education City Stadium)
January 16
v Kyrgyz Republic (17:30 local time, Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium)
January 21
v Oman (17:30 local time, Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium)
January 25
v Saudi Arabia (18:00 local time, Education City Stadium)
