The Thailand U23 national football team faced a tough defeat in their opening match of the Doha Cup 2025 on March 19, 2025, falling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) U23 squad by a narrow score of 1-0 at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar.
Under the guidance of head coach Takayuki Nishikaya, the Thai team entered the tournament with high hopes. The starting lineup included key players such as Sirawat Potsapman, Orraphon Soongthong, and team captain Sittha Boonyha, yet despite their best efforts, they struggled to find the back of the net throughout the game.
The first half saw both teams fighting hard to establish dominance, with Thailand showing promise but lacking precision in their final touches. The score remained level at 0-0, with several missed opportunities for Thailand to take the lead.
As the second half unfolded, the intensity increased, but the breakthrough wouldn’t come until the 79th minute. It was then that the UAE was awarded a penalty after a foul by Thailand’s Theerakwin Chanthrasri on Ahmed Rashed Al Mehairbi. A collective gasp from the Thai fans filled the stadium as Mansour Al Menhali stepped up to take the shot.
With nerves of steel, Al Menhali converted the penalty, granting the UAE U23 team a 1-0 lead. This goal proved to be decisive, effectively sealing Thailand's fate as they fought valiantly to equalize in the remaining minutes but could not capitalise on their chances.
In hindsight, Nishikaya remarked, "The Thailand U23 team put up a good fight, but the final touch was lacking." While the team showed determination and skill, their inability to score would haunt them as they exited the pitch.
In other matches, Australia managed a 2-1 victory over Croatia, and Qatar played to a 1-1 draw with Egypt, painting a competitive picture for the tournament.
Looking ahead, the Thailand U23 squad will face hosts Qatar U23 on March 23, 2025. This match is critical for them to bounce back and pursue a path towards potential success in the competition. It is scheduled to kick off at 01:15 AM Thailand time at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium and will be broadcast live on Thai Rath TV channel 32, as well as on YouTube and TrueVisions.
The upcoming clash against Qatar will be a test of resilience for the Thai team. Fans are hoping to see improvements and perhaps the first points on the board during this tournament. The stakes are high, and the memory of this recent loss will fuel their determination to succeed.
