The Indian men’s football team (nicknamed the *Blue Tigers*) is set to face Thailand’s national team (the *War Elephants*) in an international friendly on June 4, 2025. This match, to be played at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, will serve as a crucial tune-up ahead of India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Hong Kong on June 10. India enters the friendly ranked 127th in the FIFA world (Thailand is 99th), and head coach Manolo Márquez is under pressure to secure a morale-boosting win. Márquez, who took charge of India in July 2024 after Igor Štimac’s departure, has managed only one win in his first six games (with three draws and two losses). The team therefore desperately needs winning momentum, a point highlighted by commentators who note that friendlies alone “will never match” the intensity of upcoming competitive qualifiers.
The friendly will be hosted at Thailand’s Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani. This modern venue will see India test new tactics and personnel against a higher-ranked Thai side. For India, the friendly is a final rehearsal before departing on June 5 for Hong Kong, where the must-win Asian Cup qualifier will take place on June 10. A strong showing on Wednesday could build much-needed confidence. Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri (age 40) — who has briefly come out of international retirement for this campaign — remains the talisman. Chhetri scored twice in India’s 4-1 win over Thailand at the 2019 Asian Cup and will be expected to lead the attack again. As the National Herald notes, India has “been desperate to find its goalscoring boots” due to a long scoring drought. The team will look to Chhetri, wingers like Lallianzuala Chhangte, and forwards such as Liston Colaco and Ashique Kuruniyan to break that drought.
Thailand, on the other hand, arrives in fine form. The *Changsuek* (War Elephants) recently reached the final of the regional ASEAN Championship and have won three of their last five games. Under coach Masatada Ishii (in charge for two years), Thailand has a solid record and is using this friendly to prepare for its own Asian Cup qualifier against Turkmenistan. The Thai team features experienced stars like captain Chanathip Songkrasin, whose creative midfield play has made him the focal point of their attack. Thailand’s squad will miss striker Patrik Gustavsson (who scored a recent hat-trick in March), but Supachai Chaided is expected to lead the line.
## Background Information
**International Friendlies and Team Context.** FIFA-designated international friendlies are non-competitive matches that allow national teams to experiment with lineups and tactics. They do not affect tournament standings but can influence FIFA rankings and team chemistry. For teams like India and Thailand, friendlies serve as vital preparation before more meaningful fixtures. India’s federation (AIFF) will view this match as a key opportunity to test strategies and improve the squad cohesion established at the recent training camp in Kolkata.
**India Team Background.** India’s men’s national team has struggled in recent years. Nicknamed the *Blue Tigers* since 2013, India is currently 127th in the FIFA rankings. In the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, India was the only qualified team without any warm-up friendlies and ended up losing all three group matches without scoring. Under former coach Igor Štimac, India’s performances dipped, leading to his contract termination in June 2024. Márquez’s appointment marked a new era; notably, he guided India to a 3-0 friendly win over Maldives on March 19, 2025, with goals from Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco, and Sunil Chhetri. That victory ended a 489-day winless streak and hinted at potential improvement.
For the Thailand trip, Márquez has named a 28-player squad, blending veterans and newcomers. The squad includes all four goalkeepers (Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Hrithik Tiwari, Amrinder Singh) and an experienced back line with captain Sandesh Jhingan and Sandesh Jhingan. Midfielders like Lalengmawia Ralte and Suresh Singh Wangjam will anchor the midfield, while attackers include Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, and young forward Suhail Bhat. Notably, star goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has been left out (Vishal Kaith is likely first-choice). Lallianzuala Chhangte, out injured in March’s qualifier against Bangladesh (a 0-0 draw), is back and will provide pace on the wing.
India’s goal drought has been a major concern. The team managed a 0-0 draw with Bangladesh in their first 2025 Asian Cup qualifier, a result that underlines the need to rediscover scoring form. Coach Márquez has downplayed comparisons with past results, noting that India and Thailand “have changed players” since their 2019 meetings, but he has made clear his intent: “We are here to win... if you ask me if we can repeat the score \[from 2019], that would be great”.
**Thailand Team Background.**
Thailand’s national team is one of Southeast Asia’s powerhouses. The team plays under the Football Association of Thailand and is currently nicknamed the *Changsuek* (War Elephants). They are ranked 99th in FIFA and have a more consistent track record than India in regional competitions. Under head coach Masatada Ishii, Thailand reached the final of the 2023 ASEAN Football Championship and has won most of its recent qualifiers and friendlies. The Thai squad is led on the field by veteran playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin (70 caps and counting), who orchestrates attacks from midfield. Other key figures include striker Supachai Chaided and defenders like Theerathon Bunmathan. For this friendly, Thailand has chosen to focus on their Asian Cup preparation: they will face Turkmenistan in their next qualifier, and, as one report noted, “are using the friendly to gear up” for that important match.
**Historical Encounters.**
India and Thailand have met 26 times at the senior level. Thailand leads with 12 wins to India’s 7 (7 draws). However, India has had the upper hand in recent high-profile meetings: in 2019 India thrashed Thailand 4-1 in the Asian Cup group stage and later won 1-0 in the King’s Cup bronze medal match. In those matches Sunil Chhetri netted twice against Thailand. Many of the players from that successful 2019 campaign – Chhetri, Vishal Kaith, Jhingan, Ashique Kuruniyan, among others – are part of the current squad. Nonetheless, six years have passed, and both teams have evolved. This friendly will add a fresh chapter to the rivalry.
**Asian Cup Qualifiers Context.**
Finally, both teams are gearing up for crucial Asian Cup qualifiers. India will play Hong Kong on June 10 in Kowloon, and a win there is considered essential. Thailand’s qualifier is against Turkmenistan shortly after. As ESPN notes, the outcome of this friendly itself does not carry points, but the lessons learned could be vital; the hard-fought qualifiers “could provide the spark” that India needs. In the meantime, both sides will use this match to finalize tactics, build confidence, and instill a winning mindset.
## Current Form and Objectives for India
India enters the friendly with a mix of cautious optimism and urgency. Under Márquez, the team has shown glimpses of promise but has lacked consistent results. In their recent Asian Cup qualifier, India labored to a 0-0 draw with Bangladesh, highlighting the offensive struggles. This friendly is therefore framed as a chance to build *momentum*. Márquez himself acknowledged that a win is needed to generate confidence, quipping after training that
“we are here to win” and even raising the possibility of repeating the emphatic 2019 scoreline.At the Kolkata camp last month, India played two preparation matches: a 2-1 win over the Santosh Trophy champions West Bengal and a 3-0 win over North 24 Parganas. These matches saw goals from Brandon Fernandes, Ashique Kuruniyan, Chhetri, and Udanta Singh. While these were lower-level opponents, the results allowed Márquez to rotate the squad and build chemistry. He has emphasized work on combination play and set pieces, areas India has sometimes lacked sharpness.
Key strategic objectives for India in this friendly include:
* **Breaking the winning duck:** India will aim to arrest any lingering doubts by executing a cohesive game plan and securing a victory. A win would end the team’s long winless run and give belief going into qualifiers.
* **Sharpening attack:** India needs to improve its goal output. Coach Márquez will test different attacking combinations, likely involving Chhetri and Udanta in forward roles, with Chhangte, Kuruniyan, and Colaco providing speed on the wings. All of these players were on target in the recent friendlies, and Chhetri’s leadership upfront will be crucial. As noted, Chhetri scored a brace against Thailand in 2019; replicating that kind of impact would be ideal.
* **Defensive solidity:** With World Cup-qualifier veterans like Sandesh Jhingan and Rahul Bheke, India will look to tighten its back line. The midfield anchoring of Lalengmawia Ralte and Suresh Wangjam is expected to screen the defense. Any lapses could be costly against Thailand’s quality attackers.
* **Evaluating fringe players:** With the squad including uncapped players (forward Suhail Bhat, midfielder Nikhil Prabhu, goalkeepers Gurmeet Singh and Hrithik Tiwari), Márquez will observe how newcomers handle international competition. This friendly provides a low-stakes environment to blood talent for the long term.
Overall, India’s form has been modest, but certain positive signs have emerged. The early victory over Maldives ended a 489-day drought and showed the team can score. If India can harness the confidence from that win and apply lessons from Kolkata training, they will head into the Hong Kong qualifier feeling sharper. The media has underscored that every player is motivated. As winger Lallianzuala Chhangte put it: “We take this friendly game seriously and want to win it as well. Everyone is focused and motivated”. That sense of purpose will be vital.
## Thailand’s Squad and Form
Thailand arrives in Bangkok with a clear plan of its own. Coach Masatada Ishii has instilled a winning mentality, evident from the team’s recent results. Thailand reached the ASEAN Cup final and is unbeaten in qualifiers so far. Statistically, Thailand’s performance metrics are stronger: they boast a FIFA rank of 99, forty-eight spots above India. Their record over the last year includes winning three of the last five games, indicating consistent form.
In terms of personnel, Thailand features several standout players. Captain Chanathip Songkrasin is the creative hub; his playmaking and vision have been critical for Thailand’s offense. With leading goalscorer Patrik Gustavsson unavailable for this match, Supachai Chaided is expected to shoulder more attacking responsibility. Thailand’s defense is anchored by experienced full-back Theerathon and goalkeeper Saranon Anuin, who have proved reliable in previous friendlies. Ishii’s system typically involves quick, technical play and overlapping runs from his fullbacks.
Against India, Thailand will test India’s resolve. Notably, the Thai side has cited this friendly as part of their own buildup. Sources mention that Thailand “are using the friendly to gear up for their Asian Cup qualifier against Turkmenistan”. In practice, this means they may rotate some players and focus on solidifying their game plan. Yet they will also see it as an opportunity to fine-tune their attack and keep the pressure on India’s backline.
Given Thailand’s strengths, India will have to be at its tactical best. Where India’s gameplan might focus on physicality and set pieces, Thailand will seek to control possession and exploit spaces on counter. The clash of styles – Indian grit vs Thai technicality – will be a key storyline of the match. Both teams have emphasized experimentation: as one preview noted, Ishii, like Márquez, “will have the same intention – experiment a bit but try to build up positive impetus” ahead of the qualifiers.
## Key Players to Watch
* **Sunil Chhetri (India).
** At 40 and having come out of retirement, Chhetri remains India’s most important player. He is the focal point of attacks and a veteran leader. Chhetri’s knack for scoring in big games (a brace versus Thailand in 2019) means he will be watched closely. A goal or two from Chhetri would greatly boost India’s confidence.* **Sandesh Jhingan (India).** The captain and central defender (seen here in action) anchors India’s defense. Jhingan brings experience, aerial strength, and leadership. His role will be to organize the back line, win headers, and deter Thailand’s forwards. An early image shows Jhingan intercepting a ball and distributing to midfield. If he commands the defense well, India can limit Thailand’s chances.
* **Ashique Kuruniyan (India).
** A pacey left winger, Ashique has pace and dribbling ability. He scored in practice wins during the Kolkata camp. His ability to stretch the defense and deliver crosses will be vital. In the photo below he is seen dribbling past a Thai player, highlighting his attacking intent. Expect Ashique to link up with Chhetri and test Thailand’s fullbacks with his runs.* **Chanathip Songkrasin (Thailand).** Thailand’s creative midfield maestro, Chanathip controls the tempo. With 70 national caps, his vision and passing unlock defenses. He will likely operate behind the striker or drifting wide, feeding balls into the box. India must be wary of Chanathip’s trickery; limiting his time on the ball could be key.
* **Supachai Chaided (Thailand).** A forward with a keen eye for goal, Supachai is likely to lead Thailand’s attack in Gustavsson’s absence. He has the pace to exploit defensive gaps and could test India’s defenders with runs behind the line. India’s back three, marshaled by Jhingan, will need to track Supachai’s movements closely.
## Head-to-Head: Historical Rivalry
India and Thailand have a competitive history. **Head-to-Head (1973–2025):** Played: 26; India wins: 7; Thailand wins: 12; Draws: 7. https://www.profitableratecpm.com/h5sevimm?key=39681fc5da315145da57cc03388182ad Recent encounters, however, have favored India. In 2019 India recorded a 4-1 victory (Asian Cup) and a 1-0 win (King’s Cup bronze). Of those, Chhetri scored both games' goals. Prior to 2025, India had won the last two meetings, but Thailand’s home advantage could be a factor this time.
Key moments: India’s 4-1 rout in Abu Dhabi (2019) was a landmark win, and the 1-0 comeback win in Buriram (2019) also boosted India’s morale. Overall, Thailand holds more wins, but India’s recent trend has shown it can compete. Statistically, India’s record vs Thailand is stronger than against many other Asian opponents, giving the Blue Tigers some psychological edge. Still, this friendly will reset the head-to-head narrative.
## Importance of the Friendly and Building Momentum
While friendly matches do not carry tournament points, their importance lies in momentum and morale. For India, gaining a positive result can translate into belief for the competitive qualifier. As one analyst noted: “The intensity of a friendly game will never match that of one that has consequence... the qualification rounds for the next AFC Asian Cup... could provide the spark” that India needs. In other words, the upcoming Hong Kong qualifier will matter most, but this friendly is a stepping stone.
A few reasons illustrate why this friendly matters:
* **Tactical Refinement:** Coaches can test different formations. Márquez might try a back three or a diamond midfield, and Thailand’s Ishii could experiment with wing-back roles. These lessons help in deciding the optimal lineup for qualifiers.
* **Player Assessment:** As mentioned, players like Gurmeet Singh, Nikhil Prabhu, or Suhail Bhat will get a chance to showcase themselves in a full international setting. Strong performances can earn them spots in future squads.
* **Confidence Building:** Winning breeds confidence. India’s recent win over Maldives shows this; it snapped a long winless run. A victory against a decent Thai side would suggest India is on the rise. Conversely, even a good performance in a loss could still boost belief if the team plays cohesively.
* **Psychological Edge:** Friendly results can set a psychological tone. As Chhangte said, “we want to win it as well... Everyone is focused and motivated”. Thailand similarly has stated its intent to win. Thus, winning this “war of attrition” can give the victor momentum going forward.
**Case Study 1: India vs Maldives (March 2025).** In a recent example of friendly impact, India’s 3-0 win over Maldives (March 19, 2025) ended a 489-day winless streak. That match saw key players like Colaco and Chhetri score, and it lifted the team’s spirits. The lesson was clear: even a friendly victory can end negative runs and restore confidence.
**Case Study 2: Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers.** By contrast, India’s lack of preparation ahead of the 2023 Asian Cup had negative consequences. Heading into the tournament with zero friendly matches, India lost all group games without scoring. This shortfall is often cited as a warning: without match practice, teams can start in low rhythm and wilt under pressure. It underscores the value of friendlies like the Thailand game for building form.
## Conclusion
In summary, the India-Thailand friendly on June 4 is far more than a mere exhibition. It is a critical springboard for both sides as they chase Asian Cup qualification.
For India, it is an opportunity to solidify tactics, integrate players, and – most importantly – instill winning momentum into a team that has too often drawn or lost under pressure. Sunil Chhetri, as the talismanic captain, will lead the charge, supported by a mix of veterans and promising youngsters. Thailand’s experienced squad will not make it easy; they too will use the friendly to sharpen their game and build confidence for Turkmenistan next week.
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