Thai Newspaper: 'Two Pains Both From Vietnam'

Two 3–2 losses to Vietnam in the AFF Cup and SEA Games ended a painful 2025, making Rajamangala a nightmare for Thai football.

“For Thai football, 2025 concluded tragically just as it began. Ironically, both heartbreaks happened at the same venue, against the same opponent, at crucial moments, and with the identical scoreline,” the Bangkok Post opened.

In January 2025, the Thai national team lost the Southeast Asian crown to Vietnam at Rajamangala Stadium, falling 3–2 in the second leg of the AFF Cup Mitsubishi Electric final. Eleven months later, the U22 Thai team faced the same scenario at Rajamangala, losing 2–3 to Vietnam in the SEA Games men's football final, marking the first time in over 50 years Thailand failed to secure the men's football gold as hosts.

According to Bangkok Post, club football somewhat redeemed itself when Buriram United won their first AFF Club Championship (Shopee Cup) title after an intense 5–5 draw with Hanoi Police followed by a penalty shootout victory. However, the unexpected dismissal of head coach Masatada Ishii by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) overshadowed everything.

“The Thai national team was shaken in October when head coach Masatada Ishii was abruptly fired by FAT due to 'irreconcilable differences' regarding team management. This decision sparked fierce criticism on social media and raised ongoing doubts about the leadership capabilities of FAT Chairwoman Madam Pang,” the Bangkok Post wrote.

Meanwhile, SEA Games 33 was deemed a disaster for Thai football. From aiming to capture four football gold medals, Thailand ended in the most disappointing way. The men's team lost a comeback final to Vietnam, while the women's team was defeated by the Philippines in a penalty shootout during the semifinals, finishing with only a bronze medal.

Futsal also disappointed. The men's team needed only a draw against Indonesia to win gold but suffered a heavy 1–6 loss in the final. The women's team drew with Indonesia but lost in penalties in the semifinals. The bronze medal afterward was insufficient to salvage the disaster. Overall, FAT brought home just 2 silvers and 2 bronzes.

At the U23 level, Thailand secured a spot in the AFC U23 Championship finals after topping Group F alongside Lebanon. However, drawn into Group D with Australia, Iraq, and China, coach Thawatchai Damrong-ongtrakul faced difficulties due to clubs’ reluctance to release players, limiting the squad’s strength. Therefore, hopes for this tournament were low.

Even the King’s Cup on home soil in Kanchanaburi slipped away as Thailand lost 0–1 to Iraq in the final, ending a year without any major trophies.

“A terrible start led Thai football to a cruel ending,” the Bangkok Post commented on the harsh year for Thai football. Both the beginning and the end of this disastrous year for the Land of Smiles’ football were marked by defeats to Vietnam.