AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup - Nuengrutai: Luck not on Thailand's side

Pathum Thani: Thailand head coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian cut a dejected figure after her side's 2-1 defeat to Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ on Sunday.

The hosts came back strongly to level the score in the second half but conceded in extra time, leaving Nuengrutai heartbroken.

#U20WAC | Quarter-finals: Thailand 1-2 Korea Republic

“I'm not really satisfied with our overall showing today because we wanted to play in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and we're all disappointed,” she said.

Trailing from the 16th minute, Thailand came charging out in the second half and took the game to their opponents, levelling in the 72nd minute through a well-taken Madison Casteen strike.

Nuengrutai’s analysis of their opponents’ style was the key to Thailand’s turnaround.

“Korea Republic are a high-quality team and they put in a good performance,” she said. “But I pointed out their weaknesses during the break, and told my side the best ways to defend and attack.”

Thailand were threatening to run off with the match when Korea Republic dealt their hand in the 106th minute. Custodian Chonticha Panyarung, making her second appearance in the continental showpiece, left her line to cut off Park Ju-ha’s approach, with the forward subsequently chipping into an unguarded goal.

“We tried our best, but were unlucky today,” said the tactician. “The players also made many individual mistakes, especially the keeper. The team worked hard and came back strongly in the second half but we just could not find the winning goal.”

Nuengrutai: Luck not on Thailand's side

Q-final: Thailand 1-2 Korea Republic

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Five-star Australia; defeats for India, Japan, Korea Republic