Thailand Chase Opening Win at FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, Hudson: The Title Is Our Target
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- Thailand akan menghadapi Pakistan pada laga pembuka Grup B FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 di Stadion Si Jalak Harupat, Bandung, Sabtu (26/9/2026).
- Pelatih Anthony Hudson menegaskan bahwa partisipasi di turnamen ini merupakan bagian dari persiapan jangka panjang menuju Piala Asia dan kualifikasi Piala Dunia.
- Hudson menyebut ada empat hingga lima tim yang berpeluang juara, termasuk Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapura, dan Filipina.
Thailand's national team opens its campaign in Group B of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 against Pakistan at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung Regency, on Saturday (26/9/2026). The match is an early test of the big ambition carried by coach Anthony Hudson: to lead the War Elephants to the title.
Hudson stressed that his team's preparations have gone smoothly. In the final training session on Friday (26/9/2026), he said the players were in prime condition and ready for battle. "Training went well. We only finished a few small details and made sure of the team's fitness," he said.
However, the short-term target against Pakistan is not the only focus. Hudson sees the tournament as an important stepping stone toward bigger agendas, including the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifying. "We want to see this team develop, not only for the Asian Cup but also for the World Cup qualifiers after that," he explained.
Despite carrying a title mission, Hudson remains cautious. He considers the competition in this tournament tight because all participants arrive with their best line-ups. "We respect all opponents. There are three or four teams with similar targets, and we are one of them," said the 48-year-old coach.
"We want to win this tournament. Without belittling other teams, success for us is to be champions," Hudson asserted.
Thailand is not alone in aiming for the trophy. Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines were named by Hudson as serious contenders. The statement underlines the increasingly competitive map of Southeast Asian football, where quality between teams is becoming more even.
For Indonesia, Thailand's presence in Group B with title ambitions is a signal that the race to the knockout phase will be tight. Indonesia's national team, which also has high targets, must be wary of its traditional rivals. Duels between ASEAN's top teams are predicted to be a magnet in their own right for football fans in the country.
The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 itself is a proving ground for participating countries to sharpen strategy and competitive mentality. The tournament is also a moment for coaches to test squad depth before facing more prestigious competitions.
Going forward, the result of the opening match will be an early indicator for Thailand in chasing its title ambition. If it can overcome Pakistan, the pressure will grow in the next matches. Conversely, failure could dampen optimism. Can Thailand realize its title target, or will a surprise come from an underdog team?
