Thailand Preps for Singapore Semifinal Clash in AFC Cup
Thailand resumes training to face Singapore in the AFC Cup semifinals, with the first leg at Jalan Besar Stadium on August 15 and the return match at home four days later. Tickets for the home game start at 200 baht, with midfielder Wiratch
The Thai national team resumed full training on the evening of August 10 at the BG Pathumthani training ground to prepare for a knockout round encounter with Singapore in the 2026 AFC Hyundai Cup. The first leg will be played at Jalan Besar Stadium on August 15 at 20:00, followed by the return leg at Rajamangala Stadium on August 18 at 20:00, to be broadcast live on TrueVisions Now. Ticket prices have been reduced by 100 baht from the group stage across all zones, now ranging from 200–500 baht, available through Thai Ticket Major from August 11.
After topping their group with a 2–0 victory over Myanmar on Saturday, during which they scored 10 goals without conceding, coach Anthony Hudson gave the squad a day of rest before resuming training. New arrival Patrick Gustavsson, a forward from BG Pathumthani United, joined the camp to prepare for the Singapore tie. Midfielder Wiratchit Kanithsribumphen, who scored a penalty against Myanmar, acknowledged that facing Singapore will be different and more challenging than before, noting that many Singapore-based players are familiar with Thai football. He emphasized the importance of getting a positive result in the away leg in Jalan Besar before the home fixture.
Goalkeeper Kampol Pathomarkkul, the only keeper in the tournament to remain unbeaten across all four group-stage matches, stressed the importance of the first leg and the need to adapt their preparations to counter Singapore's recent improvement, which saw them reach the final of the AFC Asian Cup. He expressed confidence in the team's experience and praised the support staff for recovery work crucial to tournament football.
Singapore's group-stage record included wins over Cambodia (2–1 away) and Timor-Leste (2–0 at home), draws against Vietnam (0–0 away) and Indonesia (1–1 at home). Thailand defeated Laos 5–0 away, Malaysia 2–0 at home, Philippines 1–0 away, and Myanmar 2–0 at home. Head-to-head records between the two nations show Thailand leading with 42 wins, 15 draws, and Singapore with 14 victories in 81 FIFA-recognized matches. Thailand's most recent win was a 3–2 friendly victory in late 2025 at Thammasat University's Rangsit stadium—Hudson's first match in charge—while Singapore's last victory came in the 2012 AFC Cup final first leg on December 19 at Jalan Besar Stadium.
