Thailand U23 loses Moroccan-born star in match against Vietnam

The tense draw between Thailand U23 and China U23 was overshadowed by a clash at the end of the match, resulting in Oussama Thiangkham receiving a red card and missing the scheduled encounter with Vietnam U23.

The friendly match between Thailand U23 and China U23 within the framework of CFA Team China 2026 unfolded with an open game and many notable developments. The two teams continuously exchanged attacks and concluded the 90 minutes with a 2-2 draw, before tensions at the end pushed the confrontation beyond the professional scope.

The focal point of the friendly match between Thailand U23 and China U23 was not the score, but erupted in the added minutes with a rare tense incident. While preparing to execute a free kick at the end of the match, players from both teams suddenly clashed inside the penalty area, causing the atmosphere to become chaotic.

Amid the pushing crowd, defender Oussama Thiangkham became the center of attention. According to reports from Chinese media, the player of Thai-Moroccan descent swung his arm and hit an opponent, causing that player to fall on the field. The situation immediately escalated beyond control as many other players rushed in to argue, heightening the tension.

The referee did not take much time to make a decision. A direct red card was issued to Oussama, while Xuan Zhijian from China U23 was also disqualified after participating in the altercation. However, the controversy did not stop as players continued to react sharply even after the penalty was given.

Some sources from 163sports reported that Chinese players strongly criticized Oussama's behavior, while this player himself clapped towards the stands when leaving the field, raising suspicions of provocation. Conversely, Xuan Zhijian expressed dissatisfaction with the referee's decision, claiming he only reacted naturally in the chaotic situation.

The consequence of this red card is very clear. Oussama Thiangkham will not be able to participate in Thailand U23's next match, including the notable clash with Vietnam U23. This is considered a significant loss as the 22-year-old defender is regarded as one of the promising talents on the left flank.