Supachai Chaided scored in each half to help Thailand secure a 2-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan at the AFC Asian Cup, marking the end of the first round of group matches.
Thailand, delivering a dominant performance to win their opening Group F match, became the first Southeast Asian team to clinch three points at the tournament so far. This came after Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam had suffered defeats, reports Xinhua.
Bordin Phala cut inside before unleashing a curling grounder, which Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper Erzhan Tokotaev parried into the path of Supachai, who then converted a rebound in the 26th minute to establish the 1-0 lead.
Supachai, the 25-year-old forward, netted his second goal three minutes after the interval with another tap-in as Kyrgyzstan struggled to deal with a cross.
Thailand, which reached the knockout stage for the first time in the 2019 edition of the tournament, now leads Group F with three points, alongside Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia clinched a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Oman on Tuesday night.
Roberto Mancini's side was favored to win the tournament in Doha, but Oman played compact and well-organized, relying on solid defense and quick counter-attacks.
Salaah Al Yahyaei converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review, putting Oman in front after 14 minutes.
Saudi Arabia, three-time champions of the Asian Cup, equalised in the 78th minute when Abdulrahman Ghareeb dribbled past three Oman defenders and tucked the ball into the back of the net.
The last-gasp winner came in the sixth minute of injury time as Ali Al Bulayhi scored with a close-range header, which was initially disallowed for offside but later awarded after a VAR review.
A total of 24 teams are competing in six groups at the Asian Cup, which runs from January 12 to February 10.
Six group winners and runners-up will advance to the knockout stage, along with the four best third-placed teams.
Rohit-Kohli to retain A+ BCCI contracts, Iyer to return but Kishan may remain out: Sources
Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are all set to retain their A+ grade contract, which is worth Rs 7 crore in the BCCI's annual player contracts.
Champions Trophy: Spinners, Rohit and Rahul carry unbeaten India to third title win
India's spinners called the shots majorly to pick five wickets collectively on a sluggish pitch, while captain Rohit Sharma top-scored with 76 and KL Rahul stayed calm to hit an unbeaten 34 to give the Men in Blue their third Champions Trophy triumph with a four-wicket win over New Zealand here on Sunday.
Champions Trophy: Kane Williamson to not field in India's chase after picking quad strain
New Zealand’s premier batter Kane Williamson will not be fielding in India's chase of 252 in the ongoing ICC 2025 Champions Trophy final after suffering a quad strain while batting in the first innings at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Champions Trophy: Spinners pick five wickets as India restrict New Zealand to 251/7
India’s spinners called the shots yet again on a slow pitch with just two degrees of turn as they restricted New Zealand to 251/7 in their 50 overs in the 2025 Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Champions Trophy: Rachin Ravindra becomes leading run-getter in tournament
New Zealand in-form batter Rachin Ravindra became the leading run-getter in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 during the final against India at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma joins Brian Lara's 12-toss losing streak in ODIs
India skipper Rohit Sharma have matched the unwanted record of losing 12 consecutive tosses in the ODI cricket in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Champions Trophy: Smith replaces Henry as NZ opt to bat against unchanged India
New Zealand will play the 2025 Champions Trophy final without their pace bowling spearhead Matt Henry as they won the toss and elected to bat first against India at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
The memories still feel vivid: Dhawan recalls 2013 Champions Trophy win ahead of final against NZ
Former opener Shikhar Dhawan relives India's 2013 Champions Trophy victory ahead of Sunday's final against New Zealand and said watching Men in Blue entering the final for the third time reminded him of the honour of lifting the coveted trophy.