Thailand Advances to Asian Cup Final After Singapore Shootout

Thailand coach Anthony Hudson praised Singapore's strong performance but expressed pride in his team's advancement to the 2026 Asian Cup final. Thailand lost the second semifinal leg 1-2 at home on August 18 but won 4-3 on aggregate to book a spot in the championship round.

After the match, Hudson said he was proud of his team for reaching the final despite the loss, noting that most players are still teenagers mixed with senior players. He acknowledged disappointment with the result, saying they had good chances to draw or win in the second half.

Hudson expected to face Vietnam in the final, giving Thailand one extra day to prepare compared to their opponent. He noted that Singapore proved difficult to face twice and demonstrated why they performed well against Indonesia and Vietnam. He expressed confidence that his squad would be physically refreshed for the championship.

Hudson explained that the tournament timing during the football league preseason affected player form and physical condition, but emphasized that reaching the final was the goal. He noted that Thailand would have home advantage in the first final match, unlike the away semifinal leg.

Singapore coach Gavin Lee said his team played well despite not advancing, and that tonight's performance showed positive signs for the future. He praised his players' effort and work despite being the underdog, noting their confidence and competitive spirit against Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Lee acknowledged that Thailand changed their tactical approach from the group stage but his team prepared well. He wished Thailand luck in the final and thanked Singapore fans for their support.

Singapore goalscorer Riyahan Stewart expressed satisfaction with the result, saying they overcame a two-goal deficit. He noted the team played well as underdogs and that the performance will build confidence for future development. He stressed that while they played well from behind, the goal is to become Asia's best team through continued development.