* Goals: Kakana 34’, 90’+2 – Hadi 40’

Heavy rain delayed the match at Thammasat Stadium on 9/9 from 7:30 p.m. to nearly 9:00 p.m. As soon as the rain subsided, the organizers dispatched ground crew to clear excess water. However, playing conditions remained difficult for both teams.

With both Thailand and Malaysia needing a win, the game started openly. However, the waterlogged pitch made short passing difficult.

Thailand (in blue) defeated Malaysia (in yellow) 2-1 in the final match of Group F of the 2026 U23 Asian Cup qualifiers at Thammasat Stadium, Thailand on 9/9/2025. Photo: FAT

The first real chance came in the 28th minute. Sittha Boonlha's cross from the right wing forced goalkeeper Zulhilmi Sharani into a weak punch. Yotsakorn, facing an open goal, sent his shot over the bar. Thailand didn't have to wait long to celebrate, though. Six minutes later, Seksan broke through the Malaysian defense and, facing the keeper, passed back to Kakana who fired the ball past two defenders and into the net.

Malaysia, despite being on the back foot, found an equalizer from a corner. Aysar Hadi connected with the cross, sending a right-footed volley past a helpless Chommaphat in the Thai goal.

In the second half, Thailand's attack, led by Kakana, Seksan Ratree, Iklas Sanron, and Yotsakorn Burapha, put Malaysia under immense pressure. A combination of bad luck and resilient defending kept Thailand at bay.

In the 52nd minute, Sittha chipped the ball into the box for Seksan, whose chest pass found Kakana. Kakana's volley was blocked by Aysar Hadi inside the penalty area. Six minutes later, Seksan crossed from the left, and Kakana controlled the ball with his right foot before sending a left-footed shot just wide of the near post. The midfielder, born in 2004, immediately dropped to the ground in frustration. In the 77th minute, Yotsakorn headed over the bar from close range.

Kakana celebrates his goal in the second minute of stoppage time, securing Thailand's 2-1 victory over Malaysia in the final match of Group F of the 2026 U23 Asian Cup qualifiers at Thammasat Stadium, Thailand on 9/9/2025. Photo: FAT

Thailand's high line almost cost them in the 89th minute. Shamsul intercepted the ball and launched a three-on-one counter-attack. Fergus Tierney carried the ball into the box, but his left-footed shot to the bottom left corner was saved by Chommaphat.

Having survived that scare, Thailand capitalized on Malaysia's high line. Seksan's long pass found Yotsakorn on the right wing. He calmly dribbled into the box and squared the ball to Kakana, who placed a right-footed finish into the top left corner to secure the 2-1 win.

The 21-year-old midfielder celebrated by taking off his shirt and lying on the rain-soaked pitch. The Thai players and substitutes rushed to embrace their hero. In the stands, Thai fans, clad in raincoats, celebrated the victory.

The late goal propelled Thailand to the top of Group F with 7 points, level with Lebanon but ahead on goal difference (+7 compared to +4). Thailand became the second Southeast Asian team, after Vietnam, to qualify for the 2026 U23 Asian Cup.

Both teams have now qualified for the finals six consecutive times. Vietnam's best result was finishing as runners-up in 2018, while Thailand reached the quarterfinals in 2020 on home soil.

Starting lineups:

U23 Thailand: Chommaphat, Waris Choolthong, Pichitchai, Chanon Tamma, Phon-Ek Jensen, Sittha Boonlha, Seksan Ratree, Kakana, Iklas Sanron, Thanawut Phochai, Yotsakorn Burapha

U23 Malaysia: Zulhilmi Sharani, Aiman Yusuf, Alif Ahmad, Aysar Hadi, Ubaidullah Shamsul, Shafizan, Muhammad Khalil, Ziad El Basheer, Aliff Izwan, Haqimi Azim, Fergus Tierney.

Hieu Luong