Draw keeps Thai hopes aliveListen to this articleThailand's Chinngoen Phutonyong, left, celebrates with Sphon Noiwong. The result keeps the group delicately balanced, with all four teams still in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals. The next fixtures will be decisive with Thailand facing China in a must-win encounter, while Iraq take on Australia in what could be a qualification decider. Iraq nearly struck within the opening minutes when Layth Mahmood delivered a precise cross into the box, only for Aymen Luay to misfire his volley. Thailand U23 head coach Thawatchai Damrong-ongtrakul, admitted his team must sharpen their finishing if they are to progress.

Source: Bangkok Post January 13, 2026 04:20 UTC