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Group F of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup took place from 16 to 25 January 2024.^[1] The group consisted of Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Oman.^[2] The top two teams, Saudi Arabia and Thailand, advanced to the round of 16.

Teams

Draw position	Team	Zone	Method of qualification	Date of qualification	Finals appearance	Last appearance	Previous best performance	FIFA Rankings
Draw position	Team	Zone	Method of qualification	Date of qualification	Finals appearance	Last appearance	Previous best performance	April 2023^{[nb 1]}	December 2023
F1	Saudi Arabia	WAFF	Second round Group D winners	15 June 2021	11th	2019	Winners (1984, 1988, 1996)	54	56
F2	Thailand	AFF	Third round Group C runners-up	14 June 2022	8th	2019	Third place (1972)	114	113
F3	Kyrgyzstan	CAFA	Third round Group F runners-up	14 June 2022	2nd	2019	Round of 16 (2019)	96	98
F4	Oman	WAFF	Second round Group E runners-up	15 June 2021	5th	2019	Round of 16 (2019)	73	74

Notes

^ The rankings of April 2023 were used for seeding for the final draw.

Standings

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Saudi Arabia	3	2	1	0	4	1	+3	7	Advance to knockout stage
2	Thailand	3	1	2	0	2	0	+2	5	Advance to knockout stage
3	Oman	3	0	2	1	2	3	−1	2
4	Kyrgyzstan	3	0	1	2	1	5	−4	1

Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers

Matches

Thailand vs Kyrgyzstan

Thailand and Kyrgyzstan only met each other just once, a friendly in 2001 where Thailand won 3–1.

Thailand quickly proved their worth with an offside goal in the 15th minute, before dealing a fatal blow to Kyrgyzstan in the 26th minute when Bordin Phala delivered a long-range shot, then Supachai Chaided quickly approached the ball following a deflection from Erzhan Tokotayev's save to hit the net and give Thailand the lead. Chaided then closed the game in the 49th minute when in a major offensive, Theerathon Bunmathan delivered a spectacular high pass for Phala, who then provided a fickle for Supachok Sarachat to take a header; despite the header hitting the back of Tamirlan Kozubaev, Chaided was quick to approach before sending the ball to the net. Thailand then set up an extremely effective defence to neutralise opportunities of Kyrgyzstan as the Thais held firm for the win.

This was the first time Thailand won an opening match of the AFC Asian Cup, with their best record prior to this historic win being three draws and four losses.

16 January 2024

17:30

Thailand	2–0	Kyrgyzstan
Supachai 26', 48'	Report

Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha

Attendance: 4,530

Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)

Thailand

Kyrgyzstan


GK	23	Patiwat Khammai
RB	12	Nicholas Mickelson	81'
CB	17	Pansa Hemviboon
CB	4	Elias Dolah
LB	3	Theerathon Bunmathan (c)	8'
CM	18	Weerathep Pomphan
CM	25	Peeradon Chamratsamee		46'
RW	10	Suphanat Mueanta		69'
AM	7	Supachok Sarachat		88'
LW	11	Bordin Phala		69'
CF	9	Supachai Chaided		78'
Substitutions:
MF	6	Sarach Yooyen		46'
MF	19	Pathompol Charoenrattanapirom		69'
MF	13	Jaroensak Wonggorn	90+7'	69'
FW	15	Teerasak Poeiphimai		78'
MF	24	Worachit Kanitsribampen		88'
Manager:
Masatada Ishii


GK	1	Erzhan Tokotayev
RB	18	Kayrat Zhyrgalbek uulu
CB	3	Tamirlan Kozubaev (c)
CB	5	Ayzar Akmatov		75'
LB	11	Bekzhan Sagynbayev
RM	15	Kai Merk		54'
CM	12	Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov
CM	20	Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov		46'
LM	10	Gulzhigit Alykulov	21'	69'
CF	7	Joel Kojo		69'
CF	24	Kimi Merk
Substitutions:
MF	21	Farkhat Musabekov		46'
DF	2	Khristiyan Brauzman		54'
FW	9	Ernist Batyrkanov	90+3'	69'
MF	19	Beknaz Almazbekov		69'
DF	17	Suyuntbek Mamyraliev		75'
Manager:
Štefan Tarkovič

Man of the Match:
Patiwat Khammai (Thailand)

Assistant referees:
Mohammad Al-Kalaf (Jordan)
Ahmad Al-Roalle (Jordan)
Fourth official:
Kim Hee-gon (South Korea)
Reserve assistant referee:
Kim Kyoung-min (South Korea)
Video assistant referee:
Adel Al-Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Hasan Al-Mahri (United Arab Emirates)

Saudi Arabia vs Oman

Saudi Arabia and Oman faced each other in the Asian Cup for the first time. In competitive fixtures, Saudi Arabia had never lost to Oman, with two draws and two wins, which their most recent encounters happened during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, which Saudi Arabia gained 1–0 win each.

The match kickstarted in high tempo as Oman surprised Saudi Arabia with their energetic midfield group. At the ninth minute, a failed corner attempt by the Saudis saw Salaah Al-Yahyaei pull a speedy run into the Saudi defence before his effort was denied, but not without his teammate Muhsen Al-Ghassani's quick incursion into the Saudi penalty area, during which his feet got stomped by Hassan Al-Tambakti; later VAR decision gave Oman the penalty, and Al-Yahyaei didn't miss the opportunity at the 15th minute. Later, Oman set up a highly cohesive defence system to deny Saudi Arabia from scoring, but it could not withstand in the 78th minute when from the midfield, Mohamed Kanno passed back to Ali Lajami, who then set up a decisive pass for Abdulrahman Ghareeb as he successfully soloed over a rain of Omani defenders before curving beautifully to level the score. Drama came in the sixth minute of extra time in the second half, when from a corner from Ghareeb sent to Lajami, who then gave a high pass to Ali Al-Bulaihi as he headed into the net of Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini; initially, the goal was disallowed for offside before it was thought to withstand due to a misunderstanding between the VAR team and the referee, only for the decision to be reversed as the Saudis triumphed in a hard-fought match, leaving Omani players in despair with this devastating loss.

16 January 2024

20:30

Saudi Arabia	2–1	Oman
Ghareeb 78' Al-Bulaihi 90+6'	Report	Al-Yahyaei 14' (pen.)

Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan

Attendance: 41,987

Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia)

Saudi Arabia

Oman


GK	22	Ahmed Al-Kassar
CB	17	Hassan Al-Tambakti	13'
CB	5	Ali Al-Bulaihi
CB	4	Ali Lajami
RWB	12	Saud Abdulhamid
LWB	24	Nasser Al-Dawsari
CM	15	Abdullah Al-Khaibari		75'
CM	16	Sami Al-Najei		63'
CM	23	Mohamed Kanno		83'
CF	11	Saleh Al-Shehri		75'
CF	10	Salem Al-Dawsari (c)		83'
Substitutions:
FW	20	Abdullah Radif		63'
MF	18	Abdulrahman Ghareeb		75'
MF	7	Mukhtar Ali		75'
MF	26	Faisal Al-Ghamdi		83'
FW	9	Firas Al-Buraikan		83'
Manager:
Roberto Mancini


GK	1	Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini
RB	4	Arshad Al-Alawi
CB	16	Khalid Al-Braiki
CB	6	Ahmed Al-Khamisi
LB	14	Ahmed Al-Kaabi
DM	23	Harib Al-Saadi (c)
CM	10	Jameel Al-Yahmadi
CM	12	Abdullah Fawaz	73'
AM	20	Salaah Al-Yahyaei	78'
CF	7	Issam Al-Sabhi	46'
CF	11	Muhsen Al-Ghassani	73'
Substitutions:
MF	13	Mataz Saleh	46'
MF	24	Tamim Al-Balushi	73'	87'
FW	26	Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri	73'
MF	3	Fahmi Durbin	78'
DF	17	Ali Al-Busaidi	87'
Manager:
Branko Ivanković

Man of the Match:
Salaah Al-Yahyaei (Oman)

Assistant referees:
Anton Shchetinin (Australia)
Ashley Beecham (Australia)
Fourth official:
Abdullah Jamali (Kuwait)
Reserve assistant referee:
Ahmad Abbas (Kuwait)
Video assistant referee:
Kate Jacewicz (Australia)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Jumpei Iida (Japan)

Oman vs Thailand

Oman and Thailand had faced each other 12 times with Oman slightly dominating Thailand with six wins to five. In term of Asian Cup meetings however, Thailand and Oman are equal, with the most recent Asian Cup meeting in 2007 ended with Thailand winning 2–0. However, the most recent competitive fixture, as part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, saw Oman triumph 2–0. All five Thai wins over Oman happened at home and none had ever occurred in Omani or neutral ground.

The match started with Thailand surprisingly going offensive and a dangerous header from Elias Dolah at the 16th minute of the match saw his header denied by Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini before it went wild. Oman gradually reasserted control of the match but not until the second half that they relentlessly put Thailand on the defence, in particular with numerous attacking efforts, but none of the Omani strikers could clinically finish the game as Oman were forced to settle with a draw to an increasingly conservative Thai side that laid low to successfully hold the scoreline goalless.

It was the first time ever Thailand managed to have two consecutive clean sheets at the AFC Asian Cup, a feat never achieved in their participation history, although Thailand remained unable to break the poor record in neutral and away ground to Oman (drawn two, lost five).

21 January 2024

17:30

Oman	0–0	Thailand
	Report

Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha

Attendance: 6,340

Referee: Mooud Bonyadifard (Iran)

Oman

Thailand


GK	1	Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini
RB	4	Arshad Al-Alawi	67'
CB	16	Khalid Al-Braiki
CB	6	Ahmed Al-Khamisi
LB	14	Ahmed Al-Kaabi
DM	23	Harib Al-Saadi (c)
CM	10	Jameel Al-Yahmadi
CM	12	Abdullah Fawaz	67'
AM	20	Salaah Al-Yahyaei
CF	7	Issam Al-Sabhi	81'
CF	11	Muhsen Al-Ghassani	90'
Substitutions:
FW	26	Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri	67'
FW	8	Zahir Al-Aghbari	67'
MF	9	Omar Al-Malki	81'
FW	25	Abdullah Al-Mushaifri	90'
Manager:
Branko Ivanković


GK	23	Patiwat Khammai
RB	12	Nicholas Mickelson
CB	17	Pansa Hemviboon
CB	4	Elias Dolah
LB	3	Theerathon Bunmathan (c)	57'
CM	18	Weerathep Pomphan		86'
CM	25	Peeradon Chamratsamee		90'
RW	10	Suphanat Mueanta		86'
AM	7	Supachok Sarachat
LW	11	Bordin Phala		71'
CF	9	Supachai Chaided
Substitutions:
MF	13	Jaroensak Wonggorn		71'
MF	19	Pathompol Charoenrattanapirom		86'
DF	21	Suphanan Bureerat		86'
MF	6	Sarach Yooyen		90'
Manager:
Masatada Ishii

Man of the Match:
Salaah Al-Yahyaei (Oman)

Assistant referees:
Saeid Ghasemi (Iran)
Alireza Ildorom (Iran)
Fourth official:
Alireza Faghani (Australia)
Reserve assistant referee:
Abdul Hannan Bin Abdul Hasim (Singapore)
Video assistant referee:
Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)

Kyrgyzstan vs Saudi Arabia

Kyrgyzstan only met Saudi Arabia twice, both during the 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification, which Saudi Arabia won 5–0 on aggregate.

Saudi Arabia got off to a dream start when a brutal foul by Ayzar Akmatov on Sami Al-Najei near Kyrgyzstan's penalty area at the 7th minute resulted in his dismissal. With one-man advantage, Saudi Arabia eventually broke through at the 35th minute when from a long-range shot by Abdulellah Al-Malki, the ball hit the right post before it deflected to Saud Abdulhamid, before Abdulhamid gave the ball to Mohamed Kanno with a clinical close-range pass and Kanno volleyed into the net. Things only became better for the Saudis when another dangerous foul from Kimi Merk on Hassan Al-Tambakti at the 50th minute resulted in Kyrgyzstan reduce to nine men. Despite massive numerical advantage however, it was not until the 85th minute when, from a failed clearance by the Kyrgyz midfielders, the ball was sent to Faisal Al-Ghamdi from Mukhtar Ali, before Al-Ghamdi scored a rather lucky goal when Erzhan Tokotayev's attempt to punch the ball away instead hit home to secure Saudi Arabia's win.

21 January 2024

20:30

Kyrgyzstan	0–2	Saudi Arabia
	Report	Kanno 35' Al-Ghamdi 84'

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan

Attendance: 39,557

Referee: Jumpei Iida (Japan)

Kyrgyzstan

Saudi Arabia


GK	1	Erzhan Tokotayev
CB	2	Khristiyan Brauzman	22'
CB	5	Ayzar Akmatov	9'
CB	3	Tamirlan Kozubaev
RWB	11	Bekzhan Sagynbayev		87'
LWB	14	Aleksandr Mishchenko	42'
RM	18	Kayrat Zhyrgalbek uulu (c)		73'
CM	12	Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov		73'
CM	24	Kimi Merk	52'
LM	10	Gulzhigit Alykulov		64'
CF	9	Ernist Batyrkanov		64'
Substitutions:
DF	20	Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov		64'
MF	23	Nurdoolot Stalbekov		64'
MF	15	Kai Merk		73'
MF	4	Adil Kadyrzhanov		73'
DF	6	Amantur Shamurzaev		87'
Manager:
Štefan Tarkovič


GK	22	Ahmed Al-Kassar
CB	17	Hassan Al-Tambakti		54'
CB	4	Ali Lajami
CB	5	Ali Al-Bulaihi
RM	12	Saud Abdulhamid
CM	16	Sami Al-Najei		64'
CM	8	Abdulellah Al-Malki		77'
CM	23	Mohamed Kanno
LM	25	Mohammed Al-Breik
CF	9	Firas Al-Buraikan		77'
CF	10	Salem Al-Dawsari (c)		64'
Substitutions:
FW	11	Saleh Al-Shehri	63'	54'
MF	18	Abdulrahman Ghareeb		64'
FW	20	Abdullah Radif		64'
MF	7	Mukhtar Ali		77'
MF	26	Faisal Al-Ghamdi		77'
Manager:
Roberto Mancini

Man of the Match:
Saud Abdulhamid (Saudi Arabia)

Assistant referees:
Jun Mihara (Japan)
Takumi Takagi (Japan)
Fourth official:
Ma Ning (China)
Reserve assistant referee:
Zhou Fei (China)
Video assistant referee:
Fu Ming (China)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Yusuke Araki (Japan)

Saudi Arabia vs Thailand

Saudi Arabia and Thailand had met each other 16 times, with Saudi Arabia overwhelmingly dominant with 14 wins. In Asian Cup finals, Saudi Arabia met Thailand twice in 1992 and 1996, both times the Saudis won. Saudi Arabia had been more dominant than Thailand in other competitive fixtures, with their most recent meetings during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ended with Saudi Arabia winning 4–0 on aggregate.

The first attempt for the back of the net came from Abdullah Radif's penalty, following an earlier foul by Suphan Thongsong on Abdulrahman Ghareeb, but Radif squandered the opportunity. The match then went to the most bizarre way in the competition as possible, with Saudi Arabia and Thailand, having rotated most of their teams due to their early progressions, scored four times only to be disallowed all by VAR; first, Jaroensak Wonggorn's pass for Teerasak Poeiphimai's header was disallowed for Teerasak's offside at the 15th minute; followed by Radif's goal with the provide by Abdullah Al-Khaibari just a minute later also disallowed; then, at the 35th minute, from a curl to the penalty area by Santiphap Channgom, Teerasak headed to Worachit Kanitsribampen to score only to again ruled out for offside; before it finally ended with Al-Khaibari's long-range pass for Ghareeb to sprint over and score only to end up ruled out again at the 57th minute, as both teams were forced to settle for a draw despite consistent Saudi domination and pressure.

With this outcome, it marked Thailand's best ever AFC Asian Cup performance, with three consecutive shutouts and the first time ever they advanced past two consecutive Asian Cup group stages, both were Thailand's first in their participation history. It was also the first time since the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification that Thailand did not lose to Saudi Arabia in a competitive fixture, and also the first in the history that Thailand did not lose to Saudi Arabia at the AFC Asian Cup.

25 January 2024

18:00

Saudi Arabia	0–0	Thailand
	Report

Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan

Attendance: 38,773

Referee: Kim Hee-gon (South Korea)

Saudi Arabia

Thailand


GK	21	Raghed Al-Najjar
CB	13	Hassan Kadesh		64'
CB	3	Awn Al-Saluli
CB	5	Ali Al-Bulaihi
RM	2	Fawaz Al-Sqoor		79'
CM	26	Faisal Al-Ghamdi		64'
CM	15	Abdullah Al-Khaibari
LM	7	Mukhtar Ali		87'
RF	18	Abdulrahman Ghareeb	35'
CF	20	Abdullah Radif		64'
LF	10	Salem Al-Dawsari (c)
Substitutions:
MF	24	Nasser Al-Dawsari		64'
DF	25	Mohammed Al-Breik		64'
FW	14	Talal Haji		64'
MF	23	Mohamed Kanno		79'
FW	11	Saleh Al-Shehri		87'
Manager:
Roberto Mancini


GK	20	Saranon Anuin
RB	21	Suphanan Bureerat
CB	26	Suphan Thongsong
CB	16	Jakkapan Praisuwan
LB	2	Santiphap Channgom
CM	5	Kritsada Kaman	65'
CM	6	Sarach Yooyen (c)
RW	13	Jaroensak Wonggorn	88'
AM	24	Worachit Kanitsribampen	74'
LW	19	Pathompol Charoenrattanapirom	88'
CF	15	Teerasak Poeiphimai	74'
Substitutions:
MF	18	Weerathep Pomphan	65'
FW	9	Supachai Chaided	74'
MF	25	Peeradon Chamratsamee	74'
MF	14	Rungrath Poomchantuek	88'
MF	22	Channarong Promsrikaew	88'
Manager:
Masatada Ishii

Man of the Match:
Saranon Anuin (Thailand)

Assistant referees:
Yoon Jae-yeol (South Korea)
Park Sang-jun (South Korea)
Fourth official:
Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
Reserve assistant referee:
Timur Gaynullin (Uzbekistan)
Video assistant referee:
Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)

Kyrgyzstan vs Oman

Kyrgyzstan and Oman faced each other in a competitive Asian Cup finals for the first time. In term of competitive fixtures, they met twice, the most recent one occurred during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification where Kyrgyzstan shocked Oman with a 1–0 win.

Oman started on a bright note when, from a perfectly combined corner kick, Muhsen Al-Ghassani headed home at the eighth minute following chaotic attempts by both the Kyrgyz and Omanis to gain field; VAR later confirmed after the ball landed over the line. Oman then poured even further pressure to find further goals, but as Oman wasted numerous opportunities later on, warnings of cracks on Omani defence started to appear when at the 47th minute Joel Kojo, receiving a deliver from Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov, headed home only to be found offside. Eventually, Oman were made to pay at the 80th minute, when from a long-range delivery by Farkhat Musabekov, Khalid Al-Braiki and Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini miscommunicated to each other while trying to prevent Kojo, allowing Kojo to find the back of the net at the disbelief of Al-Mukhaini. Despite further attempts, none could find goal as they were forced to end their tournament at the group stages.

This result meant Kyrgyzstan failed to advance past the group stage for the first time after successfully advancing at their debut in 2019. For Oman, this was their worst AFC Asian Cup performance since the 2007 edition, both winning just two points.

25 January 2024

18:00

Kyrgyzstan	1–1	Oman
Kojo 80'	Report	Al-Ghassani 8'

Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha

Attendance: 6,231

Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (Kuwait)

Kyrgyzstan

Oman


GK	1	Erzhan Tokotayev
CB	2	Khristiyan Brauzman
CB	3	Tamirlan Kozubaev (c)
CB	17	Suyuntbek Mamyraliev		46'
RM	14	Aleksandr Mishchenko		88'
CM	20	Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov
CM	12	Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov
LM	10	Gulzhigit Alykulov	43'	46'
AM	21	Farkhat Musabekov		88'
CF	9	Ernist Batyrkanov		90+1'
CF	7	Joel Kojo
Substitutions:
MF	15	Kai Merk		46'
MF	19	Beknaz Almazbekov	78'	46'
MF	4	Adil Kadyrzhanov		88'
DF	6	Amantur Shamurzaev		88'
MF	23	Nurdoolot Stalbekov		90+1'
Manager:
Štefan Tarkovič


GK	1	Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini
RB	4	Arshad Al-Alawi		89'
CB	16	Khalid Al-Braiki
CB	6	Ahmed Al-Khamisi	4'	31'
LB	14	Ahmed Al-Kaabi
DM	23	Harib Al-Saadi (c)
CM	10	Jameel Al-Yahmadi	90+2'
CM	12	Abdullah Fawaz		67'
AM	20	Salaah Al-Yahyaei
CF	26	Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri
CF	11	Muhsen Al-Ghassani		67'
Substitutions:
MF	3	Fahmi Durbin		31'
FW	7	Issam Al-Sabhi		67'
FW	8	Zahir Al-Aghbari		67'
FW	25	Abdullah Al-Mushaifri		89'
Manager:
Branko Ivanković

Man of the Match:
Salaah Al-Yahyaei (Oman)

Assistant referees:
Abdulhadi Al-Anezi (Kuwait)
Ahmad Abbas (Kuwait)
Fourth official:
Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
Reserve assistant referee:
Mohammad Al-Kalaf (Jordan)
Video assistant referee:
Abdullah Jamali (Kuwait)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Shaun Evans (Australia)

Discipline

Fair play points would have been used as tiebreakers if the overall and head-to-head records of teams were tied. These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:

first yellow card: −1 point;
indirect red card (second yellow card): −3 points;
direct red card: −3 points;
yellow card and direct red card: −4 points;

Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.

Team	Match 1	Match 2		Match 3	Points
Team					Points
Oman				2	–2
Saudi Arabia	1	1		1	–3
Thailand	3	1			–4
Kyrgyzstan	2	2	2	2	–12

References

^ ""Match Schedule – AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023"" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
^ "#AsianCup2023 Groups Finalised". Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 11 May 2023.