Thailand showcased their superior form by defeating India 2-0 in an international friendly match held at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Davis opened the scoring for the War Elephants in the 8th minute, while Arjvirai added a second in the 59th minute to seal the victory.
The match served as a crucial preparatory ground for both teams ahead of their upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Thailand are set to face Turkmenistan, while India will travel to Hong Kong for their respective qualifiers on June 10.
Thailand's early dominance paid off when Davis found the net in the 8th minute, capitalizing on a lapse in the Indian defense. Tasa delivered a precise pass to Davis inside the box, who unleashed a sharp shot that beat Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.
India struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Thailand maintaining high pressure and dictating the tempo of the game. Although India managed to gain more possession as the half progressed, they failed to convert their opportunities into goals.
The second half saw India start with renewed intent, creating several scoring chances early on. However, their finishing boots were missing, as they couldn't find a way past the solid Thai defense. Sunil Chhetri had a penalty appeal in the 48th minute, but the referee waved it away.
Thailand extended their lead in the 59th minute when Arjvirai scored a stunning goal. The Indian defense was caught off guard once again, allowing Arjvirai to unleash a powerful strike that doubled Thailand's advantage.
Despite trailing by two goals, India continued to push forward, with Lallianzuala Chhangte and Liston Colaco having opportunities to score. However, they were unable to hit the target. Ashique Kuruniyan also showed promise in the Indian forward line but couldn't create anything substantial.
In the end, Thailand secured a well-deserved 2-0 victory, leaving India with much to ponder ahead of their crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong.
Several factors contributed to Thailand's victory. Their defense was well-organized and disciplined, thwarting India's attacking efforts. In midfield, they controlled the tempo of the game. Upfront, Davis and Arjvirai proved to be clinical in front of goal, taking their chances with precision.
For India, the defeat highlighted their defensive frailties and lack of sharpness in attack. The center-back pairing of Anwar Ali and Sandesh Jhingan struggled with communication, and the team failed to convert their chances into goals.
India will need to address these issues quickly if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup. Their next match against Hong Kong is a must-win, and they will need to be at their best to secure all three points.
