Thailand 3-2 Singapore: Soonsup-Bell misses penalty on his debut.
Jude Soonsup-Bell came on in the 64th minute, earned a penalty in the 90+6th minute, but shot straight down the middle of the goal and was saved by goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud; Thailand beat Singapore 3-2 in a friendly match.
In the 90+6th minute, Jude Soonsup-Bell regained possession after a mistake by the Singapore defender, charged into the penalty area, and was fouled. He took responsibility for the penalty in his debut for the Thai national team, but his indecisive shot towards the center of the goal was saved by goalkeeper Mohamad Izwan bin Mahbud with his foot. The "War Elephants" still won 3-2, but for Soonsup-Bell, it was a moment that both raised hopes and left him with a sense of regret.
Soonsup-Bell missed a penalty in the 90+6th minute.
Not starting the match, the 2004-born striker was brought on in the 64th minute to replace Kevin Deeromram. In over 30 minutes on the pitch, he actively moved around, looking for space, but didn't create many significant scoring opportunities. The turning point came in injury time when Soonsup-Bell capitalized on an opponent's mistake to break ahead and win a penalty.
From the penalty spot, the shot towards the center of the goal was a safe choice but lacked power. Izwan Mahbud reacted with his foot, saving Singapore. Immediately afterwards, Soonsup-Bell bowed his head in disappointment, unable to reach the rebound. The match ended with a 3-2 victory for Thailand, while this newcomer had a forgettable debut.
Development and role from the bench
Coming on in the 64th minute showed the coaching staff giving Soonsup-Bell the role of revitalizing the attack in the second half. His energetic performance helped him put pressure on the Singapore defense in the final minutes, directly forcing them to make a mistake leading to a penalty. Although he didn't convert it into a goal, it was still the most evident professional contribution from the English-born striker in the match.
Selected numbers
- Comes on: 64th minute (replacing Kevin Deeromram)
- Playing time: over 30 minutes
- Highlight: winning a penalty in the 90+6th minute.
- Penalty result: shot straight at the center of the goal, saved by Izwan Mahbud.
- Final score: Thailand 3-2 Singapore
Jude Soonsup-Bell Profile
Jude Soonsup-Bell, 21, was born in England to an English father and a Thai mother. He played for England's youth teams from U15 to U19 between 2019 and 2021. At club level, Soonsup-Bell developed at the Chelsea academy (2021/22 season) and made his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup against Brentford before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in 2023. He currently plays for Grimsby Town in League Two (the fourth tier of English football).
Prior to the match against Singapore, the Football Association of Thailand announced that FIFA had sent a certificate and document confirming Soonsup-Bell's eligibility to play for the Thai national team in AFC and FIFA-level matches.
Impact on the Thai national team
Thailand won the friendly match 3-2, but the noteworthy aspect was Soonsup-Bell's immediate creation of a decisive opportunity in injury time. A striker who can exploit opponent mistakes to earn penalties is always a valuable tactical asset. However, his ball control and composure from the penalty spot in his debut match still need time to be perfected.
With his training at Chelsea and Tottenham, along with experience in England's youth teams, Soonsup-Bell provides an additional option for the "War Elephants'" attack. The moment in the 90+6th minute served as a reminder that opportunities come to those who take the initiative, and the next task is to convert those opportunities into goals.