Thailand Advance to ASEAN Championship Final

Thailand secured a spot in the ASEAN Championship final despite a 2-1 loss to Singapore, completing a 4-3 aggregate win.

Thailand has advanced to the final of the ASEAN Championship 2026 after a thrilling match against Singapore in Bangkok. The visitors secured a 2-1 win, but Thailand's 4-3 aggregate score from the first leg proved to be the deciding factor.

Thailand's Comeback Secures Final Spot

Thailand's Kakana Khamyok scored a crucial penalty in the 61st minute to level the scores, after Harhys Stewart had given Singapore a 45th minute lead. Pansa Hemviboon's own goal restored the visitors' one-goal advantage, but Thailand's two-goal cushion from the first leg was enough to secure their spot in the final.

The Singaporeans had looked the more likely to score in the first half, with Ilhan Fandi seeing his free kick kept out by Kampon Phatomakkakul. Song Ui-young should have put the visitors in front two minutes before the interval, but his first-time strike was saved by Kampon.

Singapore's Fightback Falls Short

Less than two minutes later, though, the Singaporeans went in front. Kampon raced out of the penalty area to prevent Farhad Zulkifli racing towards goal, only for the ball to land at the feet of Stewart and his first-time strike sailed into the empty net. Thailand levelled just after the hour mark when Kakana Khamyok thumped his penalty into the top corner of the Singapore goal.

The home defence laboured in their efforts to clear the ball, which ended up at the feet of Rhyan Stewart and his low shot was deflected past Kampon via the shin of the unfortunate Pansa Hemviboon. Teerasak Poeiphimai was denied opportunities to level for the Thais, the Port FC striker hitting the post in the 65th minute before seeing Izwan Mahbud make a fine save as time ticked down.

Thailand will now face either Vietnam or Malaysia in the home-and-away final in their quest for a record-extending eighth title.

Source: Asian Football Confederation