Thailand Snatch Vital Point Against Iraq

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - The War Elephants are still marching. In a match defined by grit, tactical discipline, and a moment of pure brilliance, Thailand secured a crucial 1–1 draw against Asian heavyweights Iraq on Sunday night at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. The result keeps Thailand’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup alive, setting up a nail-biting finale in Group D.

Coming off a heartbreaking 1–2 defeat to Australia in their opener, Thailand entered the pitch knowing that a loss would likely spell the end of their tournament. Iraq, fresh off a stalemate with China, looked hungry to assert their dominance.

For the first hour, it appeared the Lions of Mesopotamia would overwhelm the Thai defense. Iraq controlled the midfield tempo, using their physical advantage to pin Thailand back. The breakthrough finally came in the 27th minute when Iraq capitalized on a corner kick scramble, firing a low drive past the Thai keeper to take a 1–0 lead.

At that moment, Thailand looked deflated. The heat in Riyadh was stifling, and the Iraqi fans were deafening. But this Thai generation, led by their tactically astute coaching staff, refused to crumble. Abandoning their defensive shell, Thailand shifted gears in the 78th minute, introducing fresh legs on the wings. The momentum shifted almost instantly.

The equalizer arrived in the 85th minute a goal worthy of the highlight reel. Breaking quickly on a counter-attack, Thailand exploited a gap in Iraq’s left channel. A precise cross found the Thai striker in the box, who showed nerves of steel to slot the ball into the bottom corner, leaving the Iraqi goalkeeper stranded. The Thai bench erupted. The 1–1 scoreline wasn't just a number; it was a lifeline.