The Thai team continues to maintain an impressive record in the regional arena when defeating the Lao team with a score of 5-0 in the opening match of Group B of the ASEAN Cup 2026 taking place on the evening of July 25.
This result helps the "War Elephants" have a favorable start in the journey to conquer titles in this year's tournament, and at the same time extend the record of never losing in the opening match in the history of the Southeast Asian National Championships.
Since the first tournament in 1996, the Thai team has gone through 16 opening matches, winning 11 and drawing 5 matches. After 30 years, the Golden Temple team is still the only team that has never suffered a defeat in the first match of the tournament.
This series of achievements reflects the stability of Thai football through many generations of players and coaching staff, despite the periods of force transition. While many teams have maintained positive opening achievements, no team has maintained such stability as Thailand.
In the match against Laos, Thailand soon created an advantage thanks to Teerasak Poeiphimai's opening goal in the 11th minute. Kakana Khamyok doubled the gap before the first half ended. The turning point came in the 43rd minute when defender Phetdavanh Somsanid of the Lao team received a direct red card, causing the home team to play with one less player in more than a half.
Taking advantage of the numerical advantage, Thailand scored three more goals in the second half thanks to Yotsakorn Burapha, Sarach Yooyen and Kakana Khamyok to close the victory with a score of 5-0. Striker Kakana Khamyok scored a double and had one more assist, while Teerasak Poeiphimai was voted the best player of the match.
However, coach Anthony Hudson's team also suffered a loss when captain Sarach Yooyen had to leave the field on a stretcher in the 69th minute due to injury.
After the first match of Group B, Thailand is temporarily leading with 3 points and a goal difference of +5. Right behind is Malaysia, who won 2-1 against Myanmar in the match on the same day.
