Thailand rally past Kyrgyzstan 3-2 at Asian Games on Sept 16

Thailand came from two goals down to beat Kyrgyzstan 3-2 at Toyota Stadium in Aichi, Japan, on Wednesday (September 16, 2026), opening their Asian Games men’s football Group A campaign with three points.

Jehanafi Mama began the second-half recovery before Pariphan Wongsa scored twice in four minutes to turn the match around after Kyrgyzstan had taken a 2-0 lead.

Thailand trail Kyrgyzstan after early chances go unrewarded

Thailand head coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul started Chavalwit Saelao, Thanakrit Chotmuangpak and Jehanafi as his attacking trio for the Group A opener.

Thanakrit produced Thailand’s first clear attempt, but the Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper pushed his shot away.

Kyrgyzstan took the lead in the 23rd minute after Thailand defender Chanon Thamma’s attempted clearance fell to Kuduret Iskandarbekov, who fired a right-footed shot into the net for 1-0.

Thailand nearly equalised in first-half stoppage time when Jehanafi broke through one-on-one, but the Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper denied the forward to preserve the lead at half-time.

Jehanafi starts Thailand comeback from 2-0 down

Kyrgyzstan doubled the advantage two minutes after the restart when a corner dropped to Aitenir Balbakov, who struck the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

Thailand responded in the 55th minute. Thanakrit delivered a corner and Jehanafi headed home to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

The goal brought Thailand back into contention as Thawatchai’s side increased the pressure in search of an equaliser.

Pariphan Wongsa scores twice to complete Thailand comeback

Thailand drew level in the 69th minute through Pariphan, who cut inside before curling a left-footed shot inside the post for 2-2.

Four minutes later, Pariphan again drove inside before shaping to shoot and directing his effort towards the near post, putting Thailand ahead 3-2 in the 73rd minute.

Neither side added another goal, leaving Thailand with a 3-2 comeback victory and all three points from their first Group A match.

Hong Kong next for Thailand in Asian Games Group A

Thailand will face Hong Kong in their second Group A match at Toyota Stadium on Sunday (September 20) at 2pm Thai time.

The match is scheduled to be shown live on Thairath TV Channel 32 and AIS PLAY, according to the tournament schedule published by the Football Association of Thailand.

Thailand then face hosts Japan in their final Group A match on September 23. The top two teams in the group advance to the knockout stage.

Thailand starting XI against Kyrgyzstan

• Sorawat Phosaman (GK)
• Chanon Thamma
• Chanapat Buaphan (C)
• Sitta Boonla
• Chavalwit Saelao
• Thanakrit Chotmuangpak
• Atthaphon Saengthong
• Jehanafi Mama
• Phichitchai Siakratok
• Worawut Noisri
• Phon-ek Maneekorn