AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup / India Beach Soccer Team

Thailand overpowers India in AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Opener

by Chittu Shetty March 21, 2025

India’s return to the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup after an 18-year hiatus ended in a 3-0 defeat against hosts Thailand at the Jomtien Beach Arena on Thursday.

The loss marked India’s opening match in Group A of the 2025 tournament. Despite a promising start, India couldn’t maintain their momentum as Thailand’s experience proved decisive in the second and third periods.

The first period saw a balanced contest, with both teams aggressively seeking the opening goal. India’s Mohammed Akram and Satish Subhash created opportunities, but Thailand’s goalkeeper, Suriya Boridet, made crucial saves, denying Satish in a particularly tense one-on-one situation.

Fueled by enthusiastic home support, Thailand gradually asserted control. India’s goalkeeper, Pratik Kankonkar, was kept busy, but he was eventually beaten in the 21st minute by Jake Stoten’s powerful overhead strike. Thailand extended their lead in the 29th minute with Ratthaphong Nadee’s precise right-footed volley. The hosts sealed the victory in the 33rd minute with a spectacular overhead kick from Komkrit Nanan, following a well-executed pass from goalkeeper Suriya Boridet.

India’s next challenge comes against Kuwait on Saturday, March 22, at 15:30 IST. Kuwait suffered a 5-4 loss to Lebanon in their opening match. The top two teams from Group A will advance to the quarter-finals.

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