Thailand coach Mano Polking looked relieved after the War Elephants picked up three points from their first game of the 2023 Asian Cup qualifying tournament, defeating the Maldives 3-0 on Wednesday in Namangan, Uzbekistan.
The Thais will play their next Group C match on Tuesday against 205th-ranked Sri Lanka, who were beaten by hosts Uzbekistan by the same scoreline on Wednesday.
The six group winners and five best runners-up from qualifying events will reach the 2023 finals.
Polking praised his team’s performance in the victory over the Maldives, ensured by goals from Sarach Yooyen and Teerasil Dangda late in the first…
