India U-23 concedes four against Thailand

The India Under-23 national team suffered a 0-4 defeat to hosts Thailand in a friendly match at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani on Saturday.

Siraphop Wandee put Thailand ahead before Phon-ek Maneekorn converted a penalty to give Thailand a two-goal lead at half-time. Chaiyaphon Otton converted a second penalty shortly after the restart, while Thanakrit Chotmuangpak added the fourth.

Thailand started the match on a high line and set the Indian back four deep. However, the Blue Colts created a number of counterattacks in the first half, making it an even battle for a long time.

Captain Ayush Chhetri dragged a 13th minute effort wide of the post, while a minute later India goalkeeper Dipesh Chauhan was called into action as he collected the ball before the onrushing Yotsakon Burapha could reach the ball.

At the other end, Korou Singh was played through on the right by Chhetri before floating in a cross that missed Mohammed Aimen’s head by inches. Burapha took a snap after half an hour that caused a deflection, forcing Chauhan to keep him away.

Wandee eventually broke the deadlock with a free kick on the right flank. Positioned where most would have expected a cross, he drilled the ball hard and low at the near post, surprising Chauhan as it went in.

India had a golden opportunity to equalize in the 40th minute when Aimen rang past his markers on the left flank, reached the goal line and knocked the ball back for Vinith Venkatesh. The latter, with half the goal open, failed to control the pass.

Thailand were awarded a penalty just before the half-time whistle, and Maneekorn tipped it over Chauhan to double the lead.

The second half started with another penalty for the hosts, and Otton made it 3-0.

As the clock struck the hour, Chotmuangpak was played through behind the Indian backline and fired the ball over the goalkeeper to make it four for Thailand.

India had another golden opportunity to get on the scoresheet in the 84th minute when Manglenthang Kipgen’s through ball sent Lalthankima over the right. The striker flashed a low cross across goal but Rahul Raju, sliding in, couldn’t make good contact as the ball rolled out of play.

Published on November 15, 2025