S'pore Lions suffer dramatic 4-2 loss to Thailand after leading by 2 in Asean Football Championship

Singapore squandered a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 to Thailand during a dramatic group stage match during the 2024 Asean Football Championship tournament on Dec. 17.

The match kicked off at 8:30pm at the National Stadium in Singapore, with over 22,000 fans in attendance.

Singapore had come into the match off a two-match winning streak, with a 2-1 win against Cambodia and 3-0 win against Timor-Leste.

First half

Just 10 minutes into the game, Singapore broke the deadlock with a wonder goal by forward Shawal Anuar.

Shawal calmly controlled the ball after a superb long pass from goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, before lashing a shot into the far corner.

เคครับพี่ลูกนี้อยากชมว่าสวยจริง #บอลไทย pic.twitter.com/qsPr2O3rGc

— Y (@gooddagoooood) December 17, 2024

Singapore forward Faris Ramli added a second on 34 minutes with a long-range effort from outside the box.

สิงคโปร์ 2-0 ไทย อีเหี้ยยยแล้วยิงสวยมาก

#บอลไทย pic.twitter.com/EsLHld85fR

— Y (@gooddagoooood) December 17, 2024

Defending champions Thailand pulled one back through striker Patrik Gustavsson just before the stroke of half-time.

สิงคโปร์ 2-1 ไทย มาแล้วมึงงงงงงงงใจมาเอาหน่อยๆมาๆๆๆ🇹🇭#บอลไทย pic.twitter.com/nt75Xb7lDC

— Y (@gooddagoooood) December 17, 2024

The teams went into the break 2-1 in favour of Singapore.

Second half

The War Elephants, however, turned up the heat after the interval, continuing to attack Singapore's six-yard box.

A cross-field pass was met with a commanding header from Thailand's Suphanat Mueanta to level the game 2-2 on 52 minutes.

กรี๊ดดดดดดดดพพเสมอแล้ว

สิงคโปร์ 2-2ไทย🇹🇭

#บอลไทย pic.twitter.com/pOkWwCGg2g

— Y (@gooddagoooood) December 17, 2024

The match would continue to see its share of drama.

Thailand's Pansa Hemviboon scored on 70 minutes, only for the goal to be disallowed following a video assistant referee (VAR) check, for a foul on the Singapore goalie.

However, a goal on 93 minutes from Thai captain, Peeradon Chamratsamee, initially ruled out for offside, was eventually given by the referee after a lengthy VAR check.

This meant Thailand had scored three goals unanswered to turn the match around 3-2.

ไทยขึ้นนำแล้ว!!! มึงงงเอ้ยสะใจมากกกกกกกก

สิงคโปร์ 2-3ไทย🇹🇭

#บอลไทย pic.twitter.com/XwrvapWHgN

— Y (@gooddagoooood) December 17, 2024

As Singapore committed bodies forward, they were hit on the counter.

Thailand's Teerasak Poeiphimai beat Singapore goalie Mahbud at his near post deep into stoppage time to put Thailand up 4-2.

กรี๊ดดดดดดดดดดดดด สะใจสะใจกูสะใจ

สิงคโปร์ 2-4ไทย🇹🇭

#บอลไทย pic.twitter.com/kAYl7oIX0r

— Y (@gooddagoooood) December 17, 2024

Thailand went on to win the match 4-2 and secure their spot at the top of Group A.

Will play Malaysia on Dec. 20

Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia and Timor-Leste are in Group A, while Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar and Laos are in Group B.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals of the tournament, also known as the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup.

Singapore will next play Malaysia on Dec. 20, at 9pm.

Singapore must avoid losing to Malaysia in order to have a chance at going through to the next round.

Top image from aseanutdfc/Instagram