Solomon Islands humbled by strong Thailand national team at Continental Futsal Championship

On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, the Bangkok Arena was buzzing with anticipation as the Continental Futsal Championship’s first round reached its climax. The matchup featured an intriguing clash between two teams with different fortunes in their opening games. Thailand, ranked 25th in the world and 3rd in Asia, had secured a comfortable victory with 3 points from a 5-0 win over Myanmar in their first match. On the other side, the Solomon Islands, ranked 60th globally, had suffered a 2-6 defeat at the hands of Myanmar in their tournament opener.

As the two teams took the pitch, it was evident that Thailand was determined to continue their winning streak. The Kurukuru found themselves facing an uphill battle right from the start. Thailand took the lead early on, courtesy of a well-placed shot from Pitchayut Kittipanuwong that was deflectedof Clifford Misitana putting the ball into his own net.

Peerapat Kaewsaithong, a key player for Thailand, soon made his mark on the game. He netted the second goal with a brilliant display of skill, weaving through defenders on the right edge before launching a precise shot. With this stunning effort, Thaland surged ahead 2-0. Sarawut Phalaphruek, the captain of the Thai team, then capitalized on a goal-scoring opportunity, widening the gap to 3-0. Pitchayut Kittipanuwong added another a few moments later to make it four for the home side.

Despite the early onslaught from the Thai team, the Solomon Islands displayed their fighting spirit. Ellis Mana managed to break through Thailand’s defense and find the back of the net, reducing the deficit to 1-4. The first half concluded with this scoreline, providing a glimmer of hope for the Solomon Islands.

The second half witnessed a continuation of Thailand’s dominance. Alongkorn Chanphon netted the fifth goal for his team, and Panut Kittipanuwong swiftly followed suit, extending the lead to 6-1. Peerapat Kaewsaithong showcased his prowess once again, converting a powerful strike to make it 7-1.

The Thai futsal team continued their relentless attack, demonstrating both individual brilliance and coordinated teamwork. Alongkorn Chanphon secured his second goal of the match, while Worasak Srirangpairoj contributed to the goal tally as well addind the 9th goal. Alongkorn Chanphon completed his hattrick by scoring the tenth and final goal of the match, sealing a comprehensive victory for Thailand with a final scoreline of 10-1.

The defeat meant that the Solomon Islands’ journey in the tournament came to a premature end. With no chance of emerging as champions, they were left with one final match against the 3rd placed team from Group B. This tournament served as valuable preparation for the OFC Futsal Nations Cup, scheduled for October and hosted in New Zealand. The Solomon Islands, along with other participating teams, aimto secure a spot at the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup, making their efforts on the futsal court significant steps toward their larger goals.