Thailand National Team receives bad news from the 'King of Elbows'

Thailand's team is at risk of being without Theerathon Bunmathan in the decisive game versus Turkmenistan in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying round because of a nasal fracture.

The Thai team is confronted with a difficult personnel issue as Theerathon Bunmathan’s potential absence in the match against Turkmenistan at the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers becomes increasingly likely. With the "War Elephants" needing a positive result in the March fixtures to keep their hopes alive, the injury to their defensive leader is clearly a severe blow to the ambitions of the team from the Land of Smiles.

The incident occurred on February 17, 2026, during the match between Buriram United and Shanghai Shenhua in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26. In a fierce contest, Theerathon suffered a heavy impact to his face. The collision caused a broken nose, heavy bleeding, and forced him to leave the field immediately in pain.

Images of the 34-year-old defender with a bloodied face quickly spread across Thai media. Right after the match, he was taken to the hospital for examination. Initial diagnosis indicated that Theerathon would need at least two weeks of rest before light training and might require about a month before being ready for intense challenges like duels or headers.

This recovery period makes his participation in the March training camp doubtful. The match against Turkmenistan is considered an early "final" for Thailand in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Without the strongest squad, especially their leader on the left flank, the head coach will have to rethink the entire defensive structure.

Theerathon is not only a seasoned defender but also a significant motivational figure. He played an important role in the AFF Cup campaigns of 2020 and 2022, as well as multiple Asian Cup tournaments. His extensive experience consistently provides stability and composure to the "War Elephants" during tense moments.

The injury to the "King of Elbows" at such a critical time heightens the concerns of Thai fans. If he fails to recover in time, the team's defense will face enormous pressure against Turkmenistan – an opponent ready to capitalize on any mistakes. Every player is crucial in the race for a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup finals, and Theerathon’s absence could cause an unwanted difference.