The Thailand national football team, led by head coach Masatada Ishii, departed for China on Sunday (June 2), setting its sights on clinching vital wins in their upcoming Group C matches of the Asian zone qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The team is set to face China in an important match in Shenyang on June 6, followed by a game against Singapore on June 11 at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium.
Thailand currently sits third in the group standings with four points, trailing behind China with seven points and group leader South Korea with ten points. Singapore is at the bottom of the group with just one point. With the top two teams from each of the nine groups advancing to the next qualifying stage, Thailand needs to win both of their remaining matches to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
Ishii expressed confidence in the team’s preparations and readiness, noting that they have adapted their strategy in response to changes in the Chinese team’s coaching and play-style since their last encounter.
Veteran striker Teerasil Dangda also shared his personal stakes in the upcoming matches, hinting that, due to his age, these could be his final World Cup qualifying appearances as he approaches the end of his international career.
The upcoming match against China will be televised live on Thairath TV (Channel 32) at 7 p.m. this Thursday. (NNT)
