During the buildup to the 2025 IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag Football Championships, IFAF looks back to the 2023 tournament with a feature on each of the four finalists in the men’s and women’s competitions.
Thailand has been absent from the international stage since winning the 2023 IFAF Asia-Oceania flag football continental championships with a 31-25 victory over New Zealand.
The reigning champions were the fifth-ranked men’s team in the IFAF world rankings as a result, but as a result of missing the 2024 IFAF world championships, enter this year’s competition in Ningbo in 30th place in the world.
Back in 2023, Thailand came from behind to edge New Zealand 31-25 to be crowned IFAF Asia-Oceania champions. Trailing 13-6 at halftime, Thailand pulled level with the Kiwis at 13-13 and 19-19 then saw their slim lead wiped out as New Zealand equalized at 25-25 with two minutes remaining.
The rain had drenched all within the EV Arena Shah Alam in Malaysia by that point and it was an execution of plays worthy of a champion that earned Thailand the continental crown.
Two incomplete passes were excusable given how difficult the conditions had become, but Phithaya Saranloet hit Wuttikorn Harnwongphaiboon with a pass deep into New Zealand territory. Then on third down, four yards from the end zone on the last play of the game, the pair connected again for the winning touchdown to spark wild celebrations and finally defeat the dogged New Zealanders.
Thailand had won the Group B meeting between the two teams and finished with a 4-0 record, earning a bye to the semifinals where they saw off the challenge of Australia 48-21.
Drawn into Group D with Singapore and newcomers Jordan, Thailand will have their sights set on defending the title won so dramatically two years ago.
"Our absence at the IFAF World Championships in Finland in 2024, led to a decline in our world ranking," says head coach Theerawut Suvanratanamanee. "Our sole objective in this tournament is to win the championship, thereby setting the stage for the 2026 World Championships."
