KoreanCoach Masatada Ishii believes that Thailand can do better after the 1-1 draw with Korea, in the third match of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup - Asia region.
The Japanese coach helped the team ranked 101st in FIFA score against the opponent ranked 22nd. This was also Thailand's first draw against South Korea in the 21st century. Therefore, he received applause when entering the room. Press conference at Seoul World Cup stadium after the match on the evening of March 21.
Masatada Ishii thanked his students for their hard work and was happy to win a point against a strong opponent. “Of course, I am not 100% satisfied,” said the Thai head coach. “It would be better if the team made fewer mistakes, but the players still deserve praise.”
Coach Masatada Ishii before Thailand's 1-1 draw with South Korea. Photo: FAT
Thailand conceded first in the 42nd minute, but equalized in the 61st minute thanks to substitute striker Suphanat Mueanta. The Southeast Asian representative only controlled the ball 21%, taking six shots compared to the host's 25. But thanks to disciplined defense while Korean strikers lacked sharpness, they achieved a historic draw.
Coach Ishii said Thailand applied high pressure at the beginning of the match, but the team is applying flexible tactics to adapt to many times. "The players play with lots of energy and respond well to many tactics," said the 57-year-old coach. "Korea is also not stable when changing head coach."
Because China drew 2-2 with Singapore, the draw with Korea helped Thailand continue to rank second in Group C with four points, equal to China but with better goal difference (+1 vs -2). Therefore, Thailand is holding an advantage in the race with China to win tickets to the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.
Main developments in Thailand's 1-1 draw with South Korea in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup - Asia region.
Meanwhile, for the second time in a row, South Korea had to split points with a Southeast Asian representative, after drawing 3-3 with Malaysia in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup. Interim coach Hwang Sun-hong regretted not winning because he missed the match. missed many opportunities. He also admitted that he had little time to organize the team's play after replacing Jurgen Klinsmann.
“The disappointing thing is that the overall gameplay is not stable,” Hwang said. "I think the players haven't gotten over their inertia yet, so they're a bit hasty."
Even though they did not win, the Korean head coach affirmed that the players showed 100% solidarity, after the internal conflict from the scuffle between Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in. Therefore, he still believes that Korea will overcome Thailand in the rematch on the opponent's field on March 26.
Hieu Luong
