The home side almost found a way through in the fourth minute when Suphanat Mueanta dribbled past his marker on the right flank, combining well with Supachai Chaided, only to see his effort from inside the box blocked by Safuwan Baharudin.

Singapore went unpunished moments later when Theerathon Bunmathan gained possession  down the left flank before floating a weighted delivery, only for Supachai to fumble with a heavy touch.

Thailand’s finishing let them down once again just after the 15th minute mark with Chanathip and Supachai wasting their efforts from inside the box, while Suphanan Bureerat saw his effort from distance blocked.

Thailand wasted another golden opportunity to take the lead in the 26th minute when Supachok Sarachat muscled his way through before unleashing a powerful grounded effort, forcing Singapore keeper Hassan Sunny to deflect the ball onto the path of Supachai who fumbled in front of goal.

Singapore’s defence was finally breached in the 37th minute when Theerathon sent a well-timed delivery for Chanathip, whose cutback into the crowded box off a set-piece was easily slotted home by Suphanat.

Thailand should have doubled their lead in the 48th minute when Suphanan Bureerat did well to force his way through into the box only for Supachai to mis-kick his effort with a grateful Sunny easily collecting.

Sarach Yooyen was denied a goal two minutes later when his volleyed attempt off Teerasil Dangda’s lofted pass slipped the clutches of Sunny before deflecting off the left post.

Thailand paid the price for their misses as Singapore stunned the home side with a spectacular effort from Ikhsan Fandi in the 57th minute, the striker picking up Glenn Kweh’s pass before unleashing a powerful effort from just outside the box.

Thailand came back fighting and regained the lead in the 79th minute with Theerathon setting up Poramet Arjvirai to strike the ball into the bottom right corner.

Jaroensak Wonggorn then made it 3-1 in the 86th minute when he rose highest to nod home from close range but it to prove to be not enough as Thailand missed out on a place in the next round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals by the slimmest of margins.