Thai fans collectively lament missing out on the World Cup

Thai fans expressed regret after the loss to South Korea, both proud of the fighting spirit and pointing out mistakes and limitations that led to their team missing the World Cup.

After Thailand's U20 women's team missed out on the 2026 Women's U20 World Cup, emotions erupted among fans in the Golden Temple nation. The 1-2 defeat to South Korea's U20 women's team after 120 tense minutes in the Asian U20 quarter-finals shattered their World Cup dream.

Despite being underestimated, the Thai girls fought resiliently. After falling behind, they rallied strongly to equalize, even playing evenly at times, but a goal in extra time decided their fate, deepening fans' sorrow. Many fans shared: “The girls ran and fought with all their might, it was thrilling to watch, but also heartbreaking. No worries, try harder next time.”

The page Krian Buriram also expressed regret, stating that the U20 women's team Thailand played “over 100% of their strength,” even outperforming the opponent at times, but small mistakes cost them dearly, a view many fans agreed with.

Alongside encouragement, fans highlighted limitations. The goalkeeper's ill-timed rush leading to a conceded goal was frequently mentioned, with comments noting she “seemed tense.” Additionally, lack of squad rotation led to players tiring quickly. “They hardly made substitutions, so they grew more fatigued as the match went on,” a fan commented.

Nevertheless, common in reactions was faith in the future. Many affirmed these players are dedicated and have great potential. “These girls have a bright future,” an optimistic opinion.

Notably, this scenario somewhat resembles Vietnam's U20 women's team, also halted in the quarter-finals after losing to a strong opponent, Japan. This further saddens regional fans as both Southeast Asian representatives missed the World Cup.

Yet, beyond the result, the fighting spirit and performances of the young players offer great hope, forming a foundation for the future of women's football in the region.