U23 Japan and U23 Thailand both have 6 points after the first two matches. Therefore, the confrontation at Toyota Stadium on the afternoon of September 23 is considered a decisive match for the top spot in Group A.
Right after the opening whistle, U23 Japan proactively pushed up the squad and quickly created pressure. Ishibashi continuously caused difficulties for the U23 Thailand defense with attacks on the left wing.
In the 8th minute, Ishibashi made a favorable cross for Nakajima to jump high to head, but the ball went over the bar. In the 23rd minute, Michiwaki had two consecutive scoring opportunities in the penalty area but could not put the ball into the goal.
U23 Thailand faced many difficulties in deploying the ball and most of the time had to focus on defense. After many attacks, U23 Japan had the opening goal in the 31st minute. Ishibashi continued to make his mark with a dribble on the left wing before passing the ball into the penalty area for Nakajima to easily tap the ball into the U23 Thailand net.
Before the first half ended, U23 Japan had another notable opportunity when Furuya headed the ball against the post.
In the second half, U23 Japan quickly increased the gap. In the 47th minute, the U23 Thailand defense cleared the ball poorly, creating conditions for Kosugi to unleash a powerful shot, increasing the score to 2-0.
Just one minute later, Ishii continued to make the U23 Thailand defense falter. The Japanese midfielder skillfully handled it, eliminated two opposing players before unleashing a dangerous shot, increasing the score to 3-0.
In the remaining time, U23 Japan continued to control the game and created some more chances. U23 Thailand could not find a goal to narrow the gap.
In the end, U23 Japan defeated U23 Thailand 3-0. With 9 absolute points after 3 matches, the team from the land of the rising sun topped Group A and won the right to enter the quarter-finals of ASIAD 20, facing U23 North Korea.
U23 Thailand is ranked second in the group with 6 points and will face U23 China in the quarterfinals.
