Ashgabat: Turkmenistan secured their second consecutive victory after defeating Thailand 3-1 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group D match.
Turkmenistan got off to a perfect start, taking the lead in the first minute through Mikhail Titov, who struck the ball past a diving Thailand keeper Patiwat Khammai.
Thailand regrouped and came close to levelling the score in the 11th minute but Elias Dolah angled his header from inside the area over the bar.
The Central Asian side’s strategy to soak up the pressure was too much to take as they conceded in the 35th minute after Supachai Chaided rose highest to nod home off a set-piece situation.
However, Thailand’s joy was short-lived as Turkmenistan retook the lead two minutes later through Shanazar Tirkishov, who had the time and space to finish off Yhlas Saparmammedov’s cross.
The onus was on Thailand to get back into the game in the second half with Phitiwat Sukjitthammakul and Ben Davis coming on in place of Airfan Doloh and Chanathip Songkrasin in the 64th minute.
Turkmenistan, however, had other ideas as Mekan Saparov put the game beyond Thailand’s reach in the 66th minute after the visitors failed to clear a corner, with the defender pouncing on the loose ball to slot home.