Head coach Hudson faces blowback despite China draw
National team head coach Anthony Hudson found himself in the firing line of disgruntled ‘War Elephants’ fans, despite maintaining his unbeaten run, following a turgid 0-0 draw against China in an international friendly on Tuesday night at the Jinhua Sports Centre Stadium in Zhejiang, China.
The FIFA Day clash, pitting world No. 93 Thailand against 94th-ranked China, left supporters and pundits frustrated over Hudson’s rigid tactics, lack of attack and controversial squad selection.
Opting for a conservative 3-5-2 formation, the English tactician raised eyebrows by naming eight players aged 30 or older in his starting lineup.
Meanwhile, highly anticipated young talent, including Teerapat Pruetong, Jude Soonsup-Bell, and Erawan Garnier, were left on the bench, denying fans a glimpse of the national team’s future.
The veteran-heavy squad struggled to find any rhythm, allowing the hosts to completely dominate the encounter. China starved Thailand of possession, controlling 63% of the ball compared to the visitors’ dismal 37%.
The disparity was even more glaring in front of goal. The Thai team’s attack was virtually non-existent, with just three shots at goal throughout the entire 90 minutes. In stark contrast, China unleashed a relentless barrage of 24 shots.
Thailand ultimately escaped with a draw thanks to a heroic performance by goalkeeper Saranon Anuin, who made six crucial saves to keep the hosts at bay. While the defensive rearguard held on grimly, Hudson's tactical blueprint was widely deemed a failure by observers.
Social media was flooded with heavy criticism immediately after the final whistle, with supporters slamming the uninspired style of play and questioning Hudson’s reluctance to expose younger players in a friendly match.
While the stalemate extends Hudson's unbeaten streak to five games since taking charge, the Englishman was defensive about the performance in his post-match press conference.
"I want to thank China for providing such a valuable experience for our players," Hudson said. "The fact that the Thai League has been on a long break definitely affected our match fitness and rhythm, but I have to praise the players for fighting hard until the very end."
Hudson added that his coaching staff will hold a comprehensive debrief to review the team’s performance.
The clock is ticking for the national team. Thailand is scheduled to compete in the ASEAN Championship in July and August, which will serve as a crucial tuning exercise before they head to the 2026 AFC Asian Cup finals in January next year.
The’ War Elephants’ face a monumental task in that tournament, having been drawn into the ‘Group of Death’, alongside heavyweights Japan, Qatar and regional rivals Indonesia.