During the ASEAN Cup 2026 final, a critical moment unfolded when Thai defender Wanchai Jarunongkran scored an own goal in stoppage time, leading to a draw against Vietnam. This unexpected turn of events drew both disappointment and humor from Thai football experts, who jokingly compared Wanchai to a 'true Vietnamese'.

In a live broadcast following the match on Thairath, experts Jay Worapath and Pub Thantat analyzed the situation surrounding Wanchai's own goal, which ultimately cost Thailand a chance to turn the game around. Wanchai had entered the match in the 84th minute and quickly became a pivotal figure. Just a minute after his entry, he scored a goal for Thailand, bringing the score to 2-1 and igniting hopes for the team.

However, in a moment of misfortune, Wanchai attempted to clear a cross from Vietnamese player Nguyễn Quang Hải. His powerful kick inadvertently sent the ball into his own net from about 25 meters out, allowing Vietnam to equalize at 2-2. This blunder effectively dashed Thailand's hopes of advancing in the tournament.

Jay Worapath expressed his astonishment at the own goal, stating, "The way Wanchai struck the ball was shocking. It looked more like a goal-scoring attempt than a clearance." Pub Thantat humorously echoed this sentiment, referencing the common football saying, "It’s better to shoot straight into your own net than to make such a mistake." As the Vietnamese team celebrated their equalizer, Jay remarked, "This is truly a Vietnamese moment. Wanchai has embodied the spirit of a true Vietnamese player!"

Despite the blunder, Thai experts noted that Wanchai's mistake was particularly hard to justify since he had just entered the game and should have been fresh. Jay pointed out that Wanchai could not blame fatigue for his error, as he had only been on the field for a short time. The decision-making and technique in that moment were crucial, and the experts believed that clearing the ball out of play would have been a simpler option than scoring an own goal.

While the mistake was significant, the Thai football community has generally been forgiving. Coverage from various media outlets like Siamsports and Thaiger referred to Wanchai's own goal as a mere technical error, acknowledging that even without his blunder, Thailand was still short of a goal needed to force extra time.

Wanchai, 29, has played 11 matches for the Thai national team and is currently with Bangkok United in the Thai League. His own goal marked a dramatic conclusion to the final match, which had already seen its share of excitement, including an early goal from Yotsakon Burapha and a missed penalty by Kakana Khamyok.