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India.com
06-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
India Beat Thailand 2-1 In Asia Cup Qualifier, One Step Closer To Australia
Sangita Basfore struck both goals as India defeated Thailand 2-1 to seal qualification to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 here on Saturday. The victory meant India finished with a perfect 12 points in Group B of the Qualifiers as former champions Thailand missed out. This is the first time the Women in Blue have qualified for the continental cup through the qualifiers route, with their last appearance in the tournament coming in 2003. With identical points and goal difference, both sides needed a victory, but the tie got off to a cagey start with action limited to the middle of the pitch. Thailand enjoyed more possession, but India were solid defensively as they worked tirelessly to close down the spaces. Limited to counterattacks, India made one count in the 29th minute with a spectacular effort from Sangita. The move started in their half, with Anju Tamang cutting the ball back for the unmarked Sangita, who unleashed her shot from just outside the box past a despairing Tiffany Sornpao. Stung by the goal, Thailand upped their tempo but found India a resilient lot, with the hosts limited to half chances as the South Asian side went into the break ahead. Thailand, however, needed only two minutes into the restart to draw level with Chatchawan Rodthong enjoying a stroke of luck as her shot from distance took a wicked bounce to beat India goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi before settling in the net. India, however, refused to let Thailand build on the goal, and their determination paid dividends in the 74th minute. Defender Nirmala Devi floated her corner across the face of the goalmouth, with the ball finding Shilky Devi, who nodded it across for Sangita to head home past a static Thai defence as India took their place at Australia 2026.
Bangkok Post
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
Thais romp as Wirunya fires 3 goals
Thailand continued their bid to qualify for the AFC Women's Asian Cup finals with a 7-0 demolition of Iraq in their second Group B qualifying tie at Chiang Mai's 700th Anniversary Stadium on Sunday night. The win took Thailand to six points, level with India, who lead on goal difference, and the hosts will aim for a third win when they face Mongolia on Wednesday while Iraq play India. The Chaba Kaew put on a better show than the first match and in the 13th minute, Pichayatida Manowang set Wirunya Kwenkasikum free to score the opener. Pichayatida then doubled Thailand's lead in the 36th minute with a cool finish into the top left corner before Panittha Jeeratanapavibul struck from distance in the first-half stoppage time. Thailand got their fourth goal from Karnajanathat Phomsri, who struck in the 58th minute from a counter-attacking move, before she netted again with a 65th-minute penalty. Wirunya increased her personal tally in the 77th minute for a 6-0 lead, before completing her hat-trick with a fine header to cap an impressive outing for Thailand in the dying moments of the match. Thailand head coach Futoshi Ikeda praised his players' composure after his team's victory in their second match of the qualifiers for Australia 2026. "After the first match, we had only two days to recover and prepare again. We focused on helping the players recover physically and get ready for the match," said Ikeda. "Everyone performed well. There were quite a few changes, but we stuck to our playing style."
