Thailand’s national soccer team is trying to pull off a miracle against South Korea for the first time in 26 years.
The head of the Football Association of Thailand has vowed to increase the bonus for a win against South Korea.
Thailand drew 1-1 away to South Korea in their third Group C match of the Asia-Pacific second qualifying round for the FIFA Confederations Cup North America 2026 (co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico) at 안전카지노사이트 Seoul World Cup Stadium on Monday.
Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) gave South Korea the lead in the 42nd minute, but Suphanat Mueanta equalized 16 minutes into the second half to earn a valuable point away from home.
Thailand, who had previously stated that they were aiming for a point and a draw against South Korea, achieved their goal. The Thais will now look to defeat South Korea in Game 4 at their home ground, the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Contrary to expectations of a defensive approach, Thailand surprised Korea early in the first half by pressing hard and playing fast breaks. The low line and tight spacing defense quickly spread out into a wide formation, threatening the Korean defense.
Thailand added a point and moved into second place in Group C on goal difference (1 W, 1 D, 1 L, 4 G, -2), ahead of China (1 W, 1 D, 1 L, 4 G, +!), who drew 2-2 away to Singapore. South Korea remained in first place (2 wins, 1 draw, 7 points).
Thailand’s new head of the Football Association of Thailand, former national team coach Nuanpan Ransam, has reportedly put a bounty on the team ahead of the match against South Korea.
According to Thailand’s Siam Sports, Ransam, known as “Madame Pang,” has increased the per-match bonus she offered the Thai national team ahead of their home match against China last November by 1 million baht.
The team will receive 1 million baht for each point in the second qualifier and 4 million baht for a win. In addition, the organization pledged to pay 10 million baht (approximately $367.8 million) to the team if they qualify for the final.
Ramsam, who traveled to South Korea on his birthday, was pleased to reward the team with a valuable point against South Korea.
In addition, Ramsam stayed in South Korea before the game and brought in a generous amount of Thai food to pamper the team.
Now, Thailand’s goal is to beat South Korea at home in Game 4. Twenty-six years ago, Thailand defeated South Korea in the quarterfinals of the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok at Rajamangala Stadium, and they are eager to repeat the feat.
The Rajamangala Stadium, which holds about 50,000 people, is sold out for the 9:30 p.m. kickoff against South Korea on Saturday. Thai soccer fans will be just as fired up as their South Korean counterparts. After drawing the first match at home, the pressure will be on South Korea to win away from home.