Overview

• India will face Thailand in a friendly at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani on June 4 as their final preparation for the Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
• The teams have met 26 times with Thailand holding a 12-7 edge and seven draws, although India won the last two encounters 4-1 in Abu Dhabi and 1-0 in the King’s Cup.
• Captain Sunil Chhetri, who scored twice in the 2019 Asian Cup win over Thailand, said those victories provide inspiration and confidence for the upcoming match.
• Thailand have climbed 14 places to 99th in the FIFA rankings under coach Masatada Ishii while India sit 127th, reflecting contrasting trajectories.
• Coach Manolo Márquez convinced veteran striker Sunil Chhetri to reverse his brief retirement and return to the squad to add experience ahead of the friendly.