Madam Pang gets emotional after a game of Thailand. Photo by Facebook/Madam Pang |
Madam Pang was present at Rajamangala Stadium on Thursday night to witness the highly anticipated final. Throughout the match, she didn’t show much emotion and declined extensive interviews after the final whistle, stating only that she was “heartbroken” by the result.
She indicated that a full statement would be provided after the men’s futsal final, where Thailand faces Indonesia at the Nonthaburi Arena on Friday evening.
Madam Pang has previously expressed a desire for Thailand to sweep all four football-related gold medals: men’s and women’s football, and men’s and women’s futsal, according to Mathichon.
However, reality has fallen short of ambition. Thailand has now failed in the men’s football final, the women’s football semi-finals and the women’s futsal semi-finals. The men’s futsal team remains the nation’s last hope for a gold medal in the sport.
Despite the disappointment, the FAT president displayed sportsmanship. Following the 2-3 defeat against Vietnam in the final, she posted a video on social media alongside Tran Quoc Tuan, president of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), with the caption: “Congratulations to the Vietnam U22 team.”
Sharing the disappointment with Madam Pang was striker Yotsakon Burapha, the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals. The 20-year-old gave Thailand a dream start with a stunning free-kick opener, but could only watch as his team fumbled a 2-0 lead.
“We didn’t achieve our goal. Everyone is disappointed, especially since we were playing at home,” Burapha said. “I’ve missed the chance to win gold in two consecutive SEA Games, but I still have one more chance. In the next two years, I will try to improve myself and make the SEA Games squad. I have to win the gold medal before I’m too old.”
This loss extends Thailand’s gold medal drought in men’s football to eight years. It also marks their third consecutive SEA Games final defeat, having lost to Vietnam in the 31st edition and Indonesia in the 32nd. This time, with the home advantage, they led Vietnam 2-0 after 31 minutes, but still couldn’t win.
“In the first half, we played quite well when leading 2-0. In the second half, we told each other to maintain the same playing style but lost focus and conceded early,” Burapha told Thairath. “I have tried my best. Individual achievement didn’t matter. What we needed the most was the gold medal.”
After the Games, the Thailand U22 team are scheduled to hold a review meeting. Their focus will shift to the U23 Asian Cup, set to take place in Saudi Arabia from Jan. 6 to 24, 2026.
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