Thai fans feel ashamed of Supachok’s lack of fair play goal

In the aftermath of Thailand’s 2-3 defeat to Vietnam in the AFF Cup 2024 final second leg at Rajamangala Stadium, Thai football forums were filled with mixed reactions. While some fans expressed disappointment over their team’s loss, many were particularly embarrassed by a controversial goal scored by midfielder Supachok Sarachat, which they deemed unsportsmanlike.

The incident occurred in the 64th minute when a Vietnamese player was injured and lay on the ground. Vietnam’s goalkeeper, Dinh Trieu, deliberately threw the ball out of bounds to allow medical staff to attend to his teammate. However, during the ensuing throw-in, a Thai player passed the ball to Supachok, who unexpectedly shot directly into Vietnam’s net. Both teams appeared stunned as the goal was allowed to stand, despite being seen as lacking in fair play.

Although the goal did not violate any rules, it sparked outrage among fans, with many Thai supporters condemning the lack of sportsmanship.

Prominent Thai football forums such as Changsuek, Siam Sport, and ASEAN United FC were flooded with critical comments. Khemarak Oussa, a Thai fan, bluntly described the goal as “dirty.” Another fan, Krungsri, urged, “Play like men.”

One comment on ASEAN United FC called it “one of the most unsporting goals in Thai football history.” Another user, Non, congratulated Vietnam, saying, “Congratulations to Vietnam. They deserved the title.” Meanwhile, Jck AZ admitted, “Playing dirty and still losing—I feel ashamed.”

While some fans criticized Supachok’s actions, others shifted the blame to the referee. However, the majority of comments were constructive, with many acknowledging Vietnam’s well-deserved victory. Fans also expressed hope for Thailand’s improvement in future tournaments.

The incident and subsequent reactions underscore the importance of sportsmanship in football. Despite the controversy, Thai fans displayed grace by congratulating Vietnam on their championship win while remaining committed to supporting their national team in upcoming competitions.