AFC Asian Cup 2023: Chaided's brace helps Thailand beat Kyrgyzstan

Thailand stand at top of the table now.

Supachai Chaided struck twice as Thailand defeated Kyrgyz Republic 2-0 in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Group F tie on Tuesday. 

Having seen their Southeast Asian rivals Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam suffer opening match defeats, Thailand produced a dominant display to take the points at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. 

Thailand were quicker to settle and good work from Nicholas Mickelson on the right created a chance for Supacho Sarachat in the 14th minute, with his shot hitting the post with Supachai’s effort in slotting home the rebound ruled offside.

Kyrgyz Republic survived another scare eight minutes later when Supachok’s clever flick over the top found Suphanat Mueanta but the OH-Leuven forward’s powerful shot hit struck the crossbar.

Thailand were not to be denied a third time when Bordin Phala, released down the left hand side in the 26th minute, cut inside before unleashing a curling grounder from 25 yards out that was palmed by Erzhan Tokotaev into the path of Supachai, who rushed in for a simple finish.

Kyrgyz Republic did improve in the closing minutes of the half with Zhyrgalbek Uluu Kairat unleashing a grounder from outside the box which custodian Patiwat Khammai easily claimed.

Masatada Ishii’s players started the second half in confident fashion, almost doubling their lead within two minutes of the restart as Theerathon Bunmanthan’s long pass found Suphanat but Tokotaev made a fantastic one-handed save.

The second goal came almost immediately after when Kyrgyz Republic failed to deal with Mickelson’s cross – the ball hitting the back of Tamirlan Kozubaev – giving Supachai another tap-in for his second of the night and third AFC Asian Cup goal.

The closest the Central Asian side came to reducing the gap came in the 52nd minute through Joel Kojo who,however, blasted his effort from close range over the bar as Thailand notched only their third AFC Asian Cup win.

The Southeast Asian side will look to continue their momentum when they take on Oman on Sunday while Kyrgyz Republic have the difficult task of bouncing back against Saudi Arabia on the same day.

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