Thailand Under 23’s failed to reach the AFC Championships quarter- finals and went out of the competition on goals scored.Thailand, North Korea and Saudi Arabia all finished on two points but on a head-to-head count Thailand scored three, Saudi Arabia four and North Korea five.
It seems a harsh way to exit the tournament but in reality Thailand did well to hold North Korea to a 2-2 draw as the Koreans dominated for much of the game. Buriram’s Narubadin equalized in the first-half but the Koreans regained the lead just before the interval.
Chanathip levelled for a second time with a spectacular strike but it was North Korea who seemed the most likely to snatch a winner.It also means Thailand miss out on any chance of qualifying for the Olympic Games.