- Thailand keep qualification hopes alive with a dominant 4–0 win
- Sri Lanka struggle without captain Sujan Perera
- Jude Soonsup-Bell scores a brilliant brace in Colombo
Thailand powered to a commanding 4–0 victory over Sri Lanka in a must-win AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier at the Racecourse Stadium, keeping their hopes alive for a third consecutive Finals appearance.
Sri Lanka entered the clash without their captain and first-choice goalkeeper Sujan Perera, who missed the match due to illness. His replacement, Kaveesh Fernando, was tested early as Thanawat Suengchitthawon smashed home a sensational long-range strike in the 7th minute to give Thailand the lead.
The hosts came close to levelling through Dillon De Silva, but his rebound effort went wide after a sharp save denied Jason Thayaparan. Heavy rain slowed the intensity before halftime, with Thailand holding a narrow 1–0 advantage at the break.
Sri Lanka made attacking changes and pushed forward in the second half, but failed to convert their possession into real chances. Thailand punished them ruthlessly, as Supachok Sarachat’s cross found Jude Soonsup-Bell unmarked to head in the second goal in the 66th minute.
Pansa Hemviboon added a third with another towering header before Soonsup-Bell completed his brace in the 90th minute, sealing Thailand’s dominant win in Colombo.
Thailand will now face Turkmenistan on March 31 in a decisive Group D clash that will determine their qualification fate.
