Striker risks life by playing with 40-degree fever to send Thailand to ASEAN Cup final

The striker's determination and effort drew praise from Thai football legend Piyapong Pue-on, who called him a "hero who was not afraid of death".

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pue-on recounted the dramatic events of the match at Rajamangala Stadium on Dec. 30. Leading up to the game, Thai media reported that Mueanta was unlikely to play due to sickness. However, the 22-year-old striker was still included in the squad and came on later as a substitution.

Patrik Gustavsson started in Mueanta’s place, scoring in the 54th minute to put Thailand ahead 3-2 on aggregate before being subbed out for Teerasak Poeiphimai. The suffered a 1-2 defeat to the Philippines in the first leg three days earlier.

In the 78th minute of the scond leg, Poeiphimai tore his hamstring, forcing coach Masatada Ishii to adjust his strategy. Midfielder Worachit Kanitsribampen was brought on to strengthen the defense, but Bjorn Martin Kristensen equalized for the Philippines with a stunning long-range strike, sending the game into extra time.

Thailand’s injury continued when midfielder Weerathep Pomphan had to leave the field. Needing a goal to avoid a penalty shootout, coach Ishii made the bold decision to put Mueanta on. Despite his condition, the Buriram United striker delivered, heading in Kanitsribampen’s cross in the 116th minute to send Thailand into the final against Vietnam, beating the Philippines 4-3 on aggregate.

"Let me say this, it was fortunate that Suphanat did not die on the pitch that day," Pue-on said. "He had to be constantly given fluids because of his fever of 39 to 40 degrees. He could have rested, but he risked his life to play for the country. He could have died. We have to thank the doctors and the president of the Football Association of Thailand, Nualphan Lamsam, for taking good care of Suphanat in the hospital."

Thai media later confirmed that Suphanat had been hospitalized with the flu before the match but joined his teammates at the stadium. After the game, he returned to the hospital for treatment and rejoined training ahead of the first leg of the final against Vietnam at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho Province.

Mueanta, a rising star in Thai football, holds the record as the youngest scorer in AFC Champions League history, achieving the feat at 16 years and 8 months. He previously played for Leuven in Belgium on loan from Buriram United. Pue-on complimented Mueanta goal-scoring instincts, calling him "sensitive in positioning and sensing goals."

"Players can only hone their skills by competing abroad," Piyapong said. "I hope more Thai players follow this path to improve their game."

Pue-on, a Thai football icon, is the former teammate of coach Park Hang-seo at South Korea's Lucky-Goldstar and is Thailand's second-highest all-time goal scorer with 70 goals in 100 appearances, just behind Kiatisuk Senamuang's 71 goals.

Thailand will play hosts Vietnam in the first leg on Thursday, 8 p.m. (Hanoi time). The game will be reported live on VnExpress International.