(Live football) - Following their frustrating tie with Kuwait, Thailand is set to face China in their upcoming friendly.
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35' Stalemate
Both China and Thailand have had opportunities to approach each other's goal, but neither side's finishing has been sharp enough to produce a goal.
24' Still no goal
The Chinese national team is using their height advantage to deliver numerous troublesome crosses and headers. However, Thailand's goalkeeper continues to perform well.
12' China constantly pressing forward
The host team China is forcing Thailand to drop deep into defense. Continuous attacks on goal have resulted in a total of four shots being taken.
3' No goal
From a cross by a teammate, Zhang Yuning stretched well to cut in and shoot, but unfortunately the ball hit the post of Thailand's goal.
1' The match begins
Starting lineups for China vs Thailand:
China enters the friendly against Thailand at 6:35 PM on June 9 with considerable confidence, playing on home soil. Coach Shao Jiayi's team is undergoing a youth renewal process but still boasts many experienced players like Wu Lei and Zhang Yuning. The home advantage and superior physique give the Chinese team a slight edge ahead of kickoff.
On the other side, Thailand continues to show consistency in their playing style. The "War Elephants" maintain their familiar possession-based and short-passing approach, while also having several technically skilled players who play abroad. Despite being away, the Southeast Asian representative is expected to create a balanced game thanks to their quick transitions and fast attack lineup.
The head-to-head history favors China, as they often get favorable results when facing Thailand. However, the gap in quality between the two sides has narrowed significantly in recent years. Thailand is no longer inferior and is fully capable of making things difficult for the hosts if they capitalize on counterattack opportunities.
This is expected to be an open match, as both teams want to test personnel and refine their tactics ahead of important upcoming tournaments. China has home advantage and physical strength, while Thailand excels in technique and flexibility. A tightly contested game is likely, but the hosts still have a chance to win by a narrow margin.