With the draw of Oman and Thailand, the door is open to continue
Starting lineup:
Thailand: Patiwat, Theerathon, Elias Dolah, Mickelson, Pansa, Peeradol, Bordin Phala, Weerathep, Supachok, Suphanat, Supachai.
Oman: Al Mukhaini, Al Khamisi, Al Kaabi, Al Braiki, Al Alawi, Al Saadi, Al Yamadi, Yahyaei, Fawaz, Al Ghassani, Al Sabhi.
At the beginning of the match, both Thailand and Oman entered the game quite cautiously. In the 16th minute, Theerathon Bunmathan made a just-range ball from a corner kick on the left wing into the penalty area for Elias Dolah to head in from close range, forcing goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini to make a save.
After that, Oman took control of the match but had difficulty facing Thailand’s tight defense. In the 20th minute, Jameel Al Yahmadi made a nasty cross from the right wing into the penalty area. Nicholas Mickelson attempted to clear the ball indecisively, but goalkeeper Patiwat Kaomhai was able to correct his teammate’s mistake.
Despite holding the ball less, Thailand still maintained a very reasonable team distance, so they were able to neutralize the opponent’s attacks. In the 28th minute, Salaah Al-Yahyaei threw the ball from the left wing into the penalty area for Issam Al Sabhi, but Pansa Hemviboon read the intention and headed the ball to clear the danger.
In the 44th minute, Thailand received a free kick at a distance of regarding 30 meters to the right wing. Theerathon Bunmathan fired a shot that hit goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini.
In the second half, Oman continued to control the game. Jameel Al-Yahmadi made a hanging ball from a free kick at a distance of regarding 35 meters into the penalty area for Khalid Al-Braiki to jump high and hit goalkeeper Patiwat Kaomhai with a header.
Faced with Thailand’s tight defensive style, Oman still faces countless difficulties in launching an attack. In the 74th minute, Ahmed Al Kaabi hung the ball uncomfortably from a free kick on the left wing into the penalty area, causing goalkeeper Patiwat Kaomhai to fly as far as he might to block it.
With the hope of improving the home team’s attacking ability, coach Branko Ivankovic in turn sent Zahir Al Aghbari, Abdul Rahman Al Mushaifri, and Omer Al Malki onto the field. However, Oman was still powerless to score a shot once morest Thailand and had to accept a scoreless score.
With 4 points following 2 matches, Thailand temporarily leads Group F of the 2024 Asian Cup, 1 point ahead of Saudi Arabia but has played 1 more match. Oman ranked 3rd with 1 point, while Kyrgyzstan ranked last.