Thailand is gearing up to face Singapore in the return leg of the AFF Cup semifinal, scheduled for 20:00 on August 18 at Rajamangala Stadium. Following a 3-1 victory in the first leg, Thailand enters the match with confidence, but head coach Anthony Hudson remains cautious.

In a press conference, Hudson acknowledged the challenge posed by Singapore, stating, "Facing Singapore will be a tough test. They are a top team with complex tactics, and they play well under a skilled coach. I am proud of my players' performance in the first leg, but we need to focus and treat this match as if it were still 0-0."

The weather forecast indicates that heavy rain could affect the match, with Bangkok expecting rainfall from 19:00 to 21:00. This could lead to a challenging playing condition, often referred to as a "water battle" in football.

Thailand's recent form has been impressive, with five consecutive wins leading up to this match. The team has not lost to Singapore at home in nearly 17 years, highlighting their dominance in this matchup. In their last five encounters, Thailand has scored 14 goals while conceding only five.

On the other hand, Singapore faces a difficult task after their defeat in the first leg. However, they have the potential to exploit any gaps left by the Thai defense. Coach Gavin Lee's team managed to create some challenges for Thailand in their previous encounter and will aim to rectify their mistakes.

Ilhan Fandi stands out as Singapore's key player, having scored five goals in six matches. If given the opportunity, he could be the difference-maker for Singapore in this crucial match.

Fans can watch the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 live on FPT Play.