CAPAS, Tarlac – Thailand made sure that there won’t be a repeat of their loss two years ago to the Philippines in the ASEAN Hyundai Cup on Tuesday night.
The War Elephants got a measure of revenge in their group stage match when they beat the Philippines, 1-0, on a late goal by Waris Choolthong at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.
The Philippines stunned Thailand in their last home game with a 2-1 decision on December 27, 2024 on an added time goal by Kike Linares at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
READ: Late Waris header breaks Pinoys' hearts as Thailand nips PMNT
But due to recent Asian Football Confederation regulations that their sanctioned matches be held in natural grass, PMNT home matches where held at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium instead of the Rizal Memorial Stadium, which has an artificial turf.
Thailand coach Anthony Hudson admitted that the wet conditions due to the rains over the past few days affected their play, but also added that he also felt they were still the superior team.
“I just think the conditions of the pitch changes everything,” said Hudson during the postmatch press conference. “I think if we had that game at home, I think it’s different.
“I think we played, even on a very difficult pitch, there were certain parts of the pitch were we even had to tell the players not to play on the side near the dugout or play more on the left. It’s quite an unusual situation.
“But I think the conditions probably leveled it out. But I never felt that we were under any real danger. A couple of counterattacks. I thought we played some good football at times. I just thought it was the final third."
The statistics did show that Thailand was the better team, as it had 68 percent of the possessions. The War Elephants also had more shots on target, 6-1.
“But again it was the conditions really that makes it difficult to play, But the most important thing was coming in here tonight and get the three points,” Hudson said.
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