Philippines vs Thailand - ASEAN Championship

The ASEAN Championship returns to the home ground on August 4, 2026, where Philippines and Thailand will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. It has not been a daunting fixture list but there are signs that Mourinho has found a way to get the best from an increasingly stacked Madrid squad.

There is plenty riding on this ASEAN Championship encounter for Philippines and Thailand alike, and neither will want to leave the home ground empty-handed. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Elsewhere, there was a useful win for Atletico Madrid to end Sevilla's unlikely winning run.

How the two sides approach the contest strategically will be key. Philippines will want to control proceedings in front of their own supporters, while Thailand will back themselves to cause problems on the break. But the Greek winger believes the mentality Arsenal are showing in pre-season is a sign they are ready to defend their crown.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi might be the answer.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. Whatever the outcome, the ASEAN Championship fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.