Thailand can take a big step towards securing their place in the last 16 of the Asian Cup when they face Oman on Sunday at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in the second group fixture for both sides.
On matchday one this week, Oman could not hold onto an early advantage against Saudi Arabia, losing 2-1, while Thailand put together an impressive 2-0 triumph over Kyrgyzstan.
Match preview
It looked for a long time as if Oman would finally begin an Asian Cup campaign on a winning note, but it all came crashing down in the latter stages of their match on Tuesday.
Oman conceded twice in the final 12 minutes plus stoppage time, losing in this competition for the first time after scoring the opening goal.
On the opposite side, they have lost every one of their Asian Cup affairs when conceding the opener, netting just once in response.
Branko Ivankovic will need his side to put that disappointment behind them quickly, as another defeat combined with a win or draw for Saudi Arabia this weekend would make it difficult for them to even claim a third place spot.
The Reds have not suffered back-to-back defeats since 2022, when they lost consecutive friendlies to Jordan and Germany by a score of 1-0.
Oman have emerged victorious in their last two meetings against Thailand and did not concede a goal in either of those outings.
For the first time in their Asian Cup history, Thailand began on the right foot, winning their opening game in convincing fashion.
Masatada Ishii saw his side grow by leaps and bounds on Tuesday from the one that got thrashed 5-0 by Japan earlier this year, putting Kyrgyzstan on their heels early and often.
Unlike four years ago when they squandered a 1-0 lead, losing to China in the last 16, Thailand kept their cool in their opener, pressing the opposition after going in front in the 26th minute and rarely looking troubled on the back end.
Their victory on Tuesday was only the second time this century that they had scored multiple goals in a single Asian Cup fixture and just the third time in their history.
As a result, Thailand have an opportunity this weekend to do something they have never done before in this competition, win consecutive group fixtures.
It has been over a dozen years since they last defeated Oman, winning 3-0 in a September 2011 World Cup qualifier, while their only triumph against them at the Asian Cup occurred in 2007 (2-0).
Team News
Tamim Al-Balushi suffered a rupture in his cruciate ligament less than 15 minutes after entering the game for Oman against the Saudis before he was replaced by Ali Al-Busaidi.
We saw the same starting 11 for Oman that began their game against the United Arab Emirates (1-0 win), with Al-Balushi being the only newcomer to see the field instead of Zahir Al-Aghbari.
Salaah Al-Yahyaei converted their only goal on matchday one from the penalty spot after Muhsen Al-Ghassani was brought down in the box, with the Al-Seeb player netting for the eighth time in his international career.
Thailand will be without star midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin and their third all-time top goalscorer Teerasil Dangda for the remainder of this competition, having both sustained injuries in the defeat versus Japan.
Captain Theerathon Bunmathan moved to within nine caps of 100 in their previous encounter, Pansa Hemviboon is eight away from the half-century mark, while Supachok Sarachat and Bordin Phala reached 30 and 40 caps, respectively, for the national team.
Supachai Chaided notched a brace in their opening fixture, his first two goals with the War Elephants since December 2021, while Patiwat Khammai made three stops to collect a clean sheet.
Oman possible starting lineup:
Al-Mukhaini; Al-Alawi, Al-Braiki, Al-Khamisi, Al-Kaabi; Al-Saadi; Al-Yahmadi, Saleh; Al-Yahaei; Al-Sabhi, Al-Ghassani
Thailand possible starting lineup:
Khammai; Mickelson, Dolah, Hemviboon, Bunmathan; Yooyen, Pomphan; Mueanta, Sarachat, Wonggorn; Chaided
We say: Oman 1-1 Thailand
Oman will be disappointed with their opening result, though they have bounced back quickly from tough losses, and they showed some promise in their opener despite the result.
On the other hand, Thailand are riding high, and although we expect to see a spirited effort from them, they might be in for a slight emotional letdown as well.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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