Thailand prepare for August 18 ASEAN Cup showdown with Singapore
Thailand take a 3-1 lead into their ASEAN Cup semi-final second leg against Singapore at Rajamangala National Stadium.
Thailand will host Singapore at Rajamangala National Stadium on Tuesday (August 18) as the two sides contest the second leg of their ASEAN Cup 2026 semi-final.
The match will kick off at 8pm, with the 94th-ranked War Elephants holding a two-goal advantage after beating 148th-ranked Singapore 3-1 at Jalan Besar Stadium in the first leg.
Hudson tells Thailand to treat tie as 0-0
Thailand head coach Anthony Hudson and striker Patrik Gustavsson addressed the media at a pre-match press conference on Monday (August 17).
Hudson described Singapore, coached by Gavin Lee, as a leading side with a sophisticated tactical system that would be difficult to overcome.
Despite Thailand’s two-goal advantage, Hudson stressed that his players must forget the first-leg score and approach the match as though the tie were still 0-0.
He urged the team to play with the same intensity expected in a final.
Hudson also addressed the controversy following the first leg involving Singapore’s delay in taking a throw-in before Thailand were awarded a penalty.
He said he had cleared the matter up with Lee and that the two coaches continued to respect one another.
Thailand have several new players in the squad, and Hudson may rotate his line-up to maintain freshness. However, he insisted that any changes would not reduce the team’s quality.
Gustavsson, who recently returned to the national side after a 17-month absence, said the 3-1 victory had increased Thailand’s confidence.
However, he stressed that another 90 minutes remained and that the players would have to give everything to secure a place in the final.
Singapore expected to attack from the start
Singapore have little choice but to attack early as they seek to overturn the first-leg deficit.
That approach could leave gaps in their defence and create opportunities for Thailand’s quick attacking players on the counter-attack.
With a stronger squad, confident possession play and home advantage in front of Thai supporters at Rajamangala National Stadium, Thailand are expected to control much of the match.
The hosts will be seeking another victory over Singapore and a place in the ASEAN Cup 2026 final.
