Thailand Escapes Last Place in U-17 Asian Championship Group After Drawing with Myanmar
Thailand drew 2-2 with Myanmar in their final U-17 AFC Asian Championship 2026 group match on May 12 in Saudi Arabia, securing third place and avoiding last place on goal difference.
Thailand avoided last place in their U-17 AFC Asian Championship 2026 group after mounting a comeback to draw 2-2 with Myanmar, though they came dangerously close to conceding a late goal.
In the final group match on May 12 in Saudi Arabia, both Thailand and Myanmar had already been eliminated. The result only mattered for avoiding last place in Group A.
Myanmar took control early, with Sai Myat Min converting in the 19th minute after Lin Yar Aung's run. Min doubled the lead in the 22nd minute with another clinical finish, making it 2-0. Thailand pulled one back in the 30th minute when Pakorn Suttiprapha finished after a piercing through-ball from Palpitack Rungreu, trimming the deficit to 2-1 at halftime.
Thailand equalized in the 75th minute through David Gabbert, who cut inside and fired past Myanmar's defense to make it 2-2. In the 90+3rd minute, Myanmar nearly snatched a winner when a free kick reached the box, but Herdsada Mansin fumbled and Myo Kaung Kyaw's follow-up was ruled offside.
Saudi Arabia won the group with 7 points by drawing 5-5 with Tajikistan, with both advancing. Thailand finished third with 1 point and escaped last place due to superior goal difference over Myanmar, who finished fourth.
