Nonthaburi: The Thai men’s futsal team secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Bahrain in the 2026 Asian Futsal Championship Qualifying Round, Group B, held at the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization Gymnasium. This win brings Thailand’s point tally to six, enhancing their hopes of advancing to the next stage of the competition.

According to Thai News Agency, Thailand, ranked 11th in the world, demonstrated a strong performance against Bahrain, who are ranked 69th. The match saw the return of head coach Miguel Rodrigo from suspension, leading the team with the starting lineup of Natthaphong Yeemahereb as goalkeeper, along with Itticha Prapaphan, Ammarin Ekaphan, Muhammad Usmanmusa, and Teeraphat Muensri. The game commenced with an early lead in the 4th minute when a pass from Muhammad Usman Musa resulted in an own goal by Bahrain’s Ammar Hassan Ali.

Thailand continued to dominate with a second goal in the 8th minute, courtesy of Ronachai Jungwongsuk’s strike following a free kick. Despite missing a chance in the 19th minute, the team maintained a 2-0 lead by halftime. The second half saw Thailand extend their lead further with a goal by Athipong Munplai in the 22nd minute, and a fourth goal from Muhammad Usman Musa before the 30th minute, following a defensive error by Bahrain.

The match concluded without further goals, securing a comprehensive win for Thailand. The team now awaits the outcome of South Korea’s 3-0 victory over Brunei to determine their advancement in the championship. The Thai team’s next challenge will be against South Korea in their third Group B match.

Miguel Rodrigo expressed his contentment with the team’s performance, particularly in the second half, despite a challenging first half. He emphasized the importance of attitude and determination in achieving their ultimate goal of winning the Asian Cup. Team manager Suthin Buatum also acknowledged the support of Thai fans and stressed the importance of maintaining their momentum in the upcoming match against South Korea.