Taiwan’s mens team were eliminated from qualification for the 2026 AFC Finals after a masterclass by Supachok Sarachat saw Thailand romp to a comprehensive victory in Kaohsiung.

Coming into the game, Thailand and Tajikistan were tied for first place at the top of the group standings, meaning that the Thais not only needed the win but had to run up the score to boost their goal difference.

Given the situation, Thailand came out swinging and took the lead within three minutes of kick-off when Sarachat’s perfectly weighted pass found an onrushing Teerasak Poeiphimai, who chipped the ball over Huang for the opening goal.

With twenty-four minutes played, the Thais scored again when another sensational through-ball from Sarachat was dispatched by Seksan Ratree.

Having created two goals out of nowhere, Sarachat then got his own name on the scoresheet when the midfielder cut in from the left flank, exchanged passes around the Taiwanese penalty box before cooly smashing the ball past Huang.

Yet there was also time for Taiwan to impress. Moments after the second half had gotten underway, Kuo Po-wei retrieved the ball on the halfway line and began dribbling towards the Thai penalty box. But instead of passing, Kuo drove forward with the ball before uncorking a shot from almost thirty yards that flew past into the corner of the net.

It was a wonderful goal that was celebrated furiously by the Taiwanese. Having taken a pummeling for most of the game, the home side had refused to lay down and kept looking for their own opportunities to score. Indeed, for the next fifteen minutes, an adrenaline-filled Taiwan came surging forward and Thailand briefly seemed unsure of what to do.

But eventually, normal service was soon resumed when fullback Chao Wei-chieh got caught out of position, allowing Thailand to march down the left-hand side of the field. Poeiphimai was waiting for the cross and dispatched it for the easiest goal of the night.

The fifth Thai goal arrived via the unstoppable Sarachat, whose sumptuous back-heeled through ball set up Poeiphimai for his hat-trick. Deep into injury time, Huang Tzu-ming deflected a cross into his own net for Thailand’s sixth goal and the final moment of ignominy for the home side.

Photo Credit: Go Goal