Thailand's Japanese coach starts stint with big defeat

Scorers: Ao Tanaka 50’, Keito Nakamura 72’, Elias Doloh 75’ (OG), Takumu Kawamura 82’, Takumi Minamino 90’+1.

The two teams admittedly did not field their strongest teams for the friendly match for the Toyo Tires exhibition cup at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo. Some Japanese players are currently playing in Europe, while Thailand did not have key players like Theerathon Bunmathan, Chanathip Songkrasin and Teesasil Dangda.

Japan’s Takumi Minamino (R) reacts after scoring the team’s 5th goal against Thailand during the Toyo Tires Cup at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on Jan. 1, 2024. Photo by The Yomiuri Shimbun/Takuya Matsumoto via AFP

Without their playmakers, Thailand chose a defensive approach and survived the first half without conceding despite a number of shots by Japan.

But things changed dramatically after star players Ritsu Doan and Takumi Minamino took the field for Japan in the second half.

In the 50th minute Japan opened the scoring through Ao Tanaka. 10 minutes later Keito Nakamura hit the post. There were also chances for Doan and Minamino, but they could not beat goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai.

Nakamura scored in the 72nd minute with a tap-in, and two minutes later Elias Doloh scored an own goal from a corner.

Thailand resistance crumpled thereafter, and Japan scored twice in the remaining minutes through a header from Takumu Kawamura and a pretty goal from Minamino.

Coach Ishii took over the Thailand national team after Mano Polking was fired following Thailand's defeat by China at the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The 0-5 scoreline came as no considering the squad Thailand fielded.

It is Thailand’s only friendly before the 2024 Asian Cup kicks off later this month in Qatar.

In front of nearly 70,000 spectators, Japan extended their winning streak that started in June last year to nine games, the longest in their history.

In the 2024 Asian Cup Japan are in the same group with Vietnam, Indonesia and Iraq.

The presence of two Southeast Asian teams in their group possibly accounted for the fact Japan chose to play Thailand.