Bangkok blockbuster awaits

Thais stay in finals hunt after big win

- TOR CHITTINAND

Thailand's Jude Soonsun-Bell, right, celebrates his goal with Suphanat Mueanta during the Asian Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Thailand put on a dazzling show in Colombo on Tuesday night as they hammered Sri Lanka 4-0 in a rain-soaked encounter to keep their hopes alive for a place in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia.

Despite the emphatic scoreline, Thailand's progress to the continental showpiece remains precarious.

Turkmenistan's 3-1 victory over Taiwan a few hours later on Tuesday ensured that Group D remains delicately poised, with both Thailand and Turkmenistan locked on 12 points after five rounds of qualifying.

The Central Asian side holds the head-to-head advantage, having beaten Thailand 3-1 earlier in the campaign.

This sets up a dramatic showdown in Bangkok on March 31, when the two nations meet in what is effectively a winner-takes-all clash for a ticket to Saudi Arabia.