Akarapong double! Thailand overtakes Cambodia, making it 4 straight wins in the first round
The “War Elephants”, the senior Thai national football team, are preparing to take the field in the first round of the “Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024” ASEAN Football Championship, Group A, the last match against Cambodia at Rajamangala National Stadium on December 20.

The Thai national team is guaranteed to win Group A after winning 3 matches in a row. Cambodia still has a chance to enter the next round by winning more than Malaysia won against Singapore. They will have 7 points, the same as Singapore, and win by goal difference instead.
In this game, Masatada Ishishi, head coach of the Thai national team, adjusted several players, but Supachok Sarachat, who has recovered from his injury, is still not on the field. The forward line uses Teerasak Poeiphimai as the center forward, with Worachit Kanitsribumphen creating the เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา game.
The first half started with the Thai national team still unable to continue the game. It was Cambodia who seemed to do better when attacking before scoring the opening goal 1-0 in the 32nd minute from a shot by Rafael Neto. However, Thailand quickly equalized within a minute when Worachit Kanitsribumphen’s shot was saved by Lee Eng Reth before Akarapong Phumwiset followed up to make the score 1-1 and ended the first half with this score.
In the second half, Thailand adjusted 3 positions, sending “Bank” Supanat Mueanta, Seksan Ratree and Titathorn Aksornsri to play instead of James Burressford. Anan Yodsangwan and Aphisit Sorada to focus more on the attacking game.
In the 50th minute, Thailand scored again. When Worachit crossed from a free kick almost in the middle of the field and scored. However, the VAR room checked Supanat’s header was in an offside position, so Thailand did not score a goal to take the lead 2-1. Then, 3 minutes later, Teerasak broke away alone but his shot was saved by the Cambodian goalkeeper.
Then Thailand pressed hard and had many chances to score from Seksan Ratree or Teerasak who broke away again. Until the 78th minute, Thailand scored the second goal from Akkarapong Phumwiset. The second goal of the game, giving Thailand a 2-1 lead.
The game reached the 84th minute, Thailand scored a goal from Chalermsak Akhi. But in injury time, Cambodia scored to make it 2-3 from Koulibaly Kader. Making the game end with Thailand defeating Cambodia 3-2. In another match, Malaysia could only draw with Singapore 0-0.
Summary of the Group A situation after the first round: Thailand won 4 matches in a row has 12 points. And enters the next round as the Group A champion, followed by Singapore with 7 points, and enters the next round as the group runner-up. Third place is Malaysia with 5 points, fourth place is Cambodia with 4 points, and Timor Leste has no points.