Thailand lost the last match before the AFF Cup

Scoring: Chen Jui-Chieh 72'

Chinese Taipei lost all of the last 10 matches before being a guest at Thammasat Stadium. In the match against Thailand, they let the host finish 25 times but kept a clean sheet. Possessing only 25% of the ball and finishing seven times, Chinese Taipei still created a shock with the only goal in the 72nd minute. The scorer was Chen Jui-chieh, with a kick to finish after a long pass.

Thailand used this match to pay tribute to Teeratep Winothai, a legendary striker who retired from his career at the age of 37. Winothai was once considered a Thai football prodigy, trained at Crystal Palace and played for the Everton youth team. He won 4 SEA Games gold medals with Thailand U23 in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007. In the national team, Teeratep Winothai scored 16 goals in 47 matches.

Winothai had a couple of chances in the opening 28 minutes, but could not score. After that, he was replaced by young striker Poramet Arjvirai. In this match, coach Mano Polking tested a series of new elements, such as goalkeeper Kampol Pathomakkakul, defenders Chalermsak Aukkee, Jakkapan Praisuwan, midfielder Chatmongkol Rueangthanarot, Channarong Promsrikaew and striker Teerasak Poeiphimai.

The squad consisting mostly of Thai substitutes could not function as Polking wanted. Despite many shots, the homeowner only had four clear opportunities and missed them all. Most of Thailand's dangerous situation came in the second half, when a few stars entered the field. But Polking's students were too ungrateful in front of Pan Wen-chieh's goal.

The 0-1 defeat against an underrated opponent indicates a problem with Thailand's forces, when the level gap between the main team and the reserve team is quite large. Three days earlier, Thailand's strongest squad easily won Myanmar 6-0.

Thailand will play the opening match of Group A AFF Cup 2022 on December 20, against Brunei in Malaysia.