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Thailand take on Taiwan in a crucial Group D battle of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign Thursday night, knowing they cannot afford to drop any more points.

The match will kick off at 7.30pm at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium.

Since their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Turkmenistan in their second Group D match, Thailand have been left with the uphill task of winning their remaining group games.

The away loss pushed Thailand down to second place in the group with three points from two games. They had earlier beaten Sri Lanka 1-0 in their opening match.

Turkmenistan top the standings with a perfect six points.

Only the winners of the six groups in the qualifying tournament will advance and join the 18 countries that have already booked their spots in the finals in Saudi Arabia.

Thailand coach Masatada Ishii admitted at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday that his men cannot afford any more slip-ups.

“This time, we face Taiwan in both home and away matches, and our only target is to win both games and collect six points,” said the Japanese tactician.

Ishii was questioned about his decision not to replace the injured Supachai Chaided with another forward, leaving Teerasak Poeiphimai — who has already picked up a yellow card — as the only natural striker in the team.

The coach said: “I also worry about this a lot, thinking all the time how to help Teerasak avoid picking up another card.

“We don’t just have to win these games, but we also have to think about scoring as many goals as possible and improving our goal difference.

“Teerasak is the obvious choice for the task, and I didn’t bring another striker into the team because I wanted to select players of the equal calibre as those who have pulled out of the squad.”

Taiwan coach Huang Che Ming said: “Playing against Thailand is not easy at all. We are focusing on building a new generation, so most of our players are young. We are concentrating on our defence.

“We have to be careful as Thai midfielders can be difficult to handle, but that isn’t our only concern — the strength of the Thai defence is also a big worry for us.”

The match between Thailand and Taiwan will be televised live on Thai Rath TV (32), the BG Sports YouTube channel, and TrueVisions NOW.

U23 team depart for China

The Thailand U23 men’s national football team departed Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Wednesday for Kunming, China, where they will play two friendly matches against the China U23 side on Friday and Oct 14.

Head coach Thawatchai Dam­- rong-ongtrakul is leading a 23-man squad, which will form the core of this year’s SEA Games team.

Speaking before departure, Thawatchai noted the importance of the fixtures: “These matches fall on Fifa Days, and since China are in our group for the final round, it’s a valuable chance to test ourselves. We want to sharpen our attacking play while also improving our defending at set-pieces, because China are physically strong.”

He added that injuries to key players such as Waris Chuthong and Sittha Boonla have opened opportunities for newcomers: “It’s a chance to see if the new players can step up and replace them.”

The second match on Oct 14 will be broadcast live via BG Sports YouTube channel and TrueVisions NOW.

Uthai sack coach Lettieri

Uthai Thani have officially announced their decision to part ways with Italian coach Gino Lettieri after just seven Thai League 1 games.

The announcement came hot on the heels of Buriram United’s shock decision to sack their Brazilian coach, Osmar Loss Vieira, only 24 hours earlier.

Uthai Thani have appointed Milos Joksic as their new head coach. Joksic returns to the club after guiding them to a ninth-place finish last season.

The team are currently rooted to the bottom of the top-flight table, having collected only three points from seven games — all of them draws.

Lettieri joined Uthai Thani during the pre-season after leaving Muang Thong United at the end of the previous campaign.

The Italian becomes the fourth Thai League 1 coach to lose his job this season, following Osmar, Dusit Chalermsan (Kanchanaburi Power), and Supachai Komsilp (BG Pathum United).

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has completed the first 30 days of his one-year sentence at Klongprem Central Prison and remains in good spirits, his family said on Thursday.

‘His mental health is strong. It has been about a month now. My father did mention about numbness in his fingers,’ his daughter Pintongta Shinawatra Kunakornwong said after a visit.

Ms Pintongta, her husband Nuttaphong Kunakornwong, and Pidok Sooksawas, husband of former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, visited Thaksin at the prison on Ngam Wong Wan Road in Chatuchak district of Bangkok for more than an hour.

Mr Nuttaphong said his father-in-law’s morale remained high. He added that Thaksin had been informed of a visit by his former classmates from Montfort College in Chiang Mai, and had expressed his gratitude.

Reporters said they had heard some people gathered outside the prison teasingly refer to Mr Nuttaphong as ‘the next prime minister’. They asked his wife if she had heard the comments but the couple just smiled bashfully and declined to respond.

Earlier, the Pheu Thai Party hinted at its intention to approach Mr Nuttaphong about being a party prime ministerial candidate in the next general election.

Red-shirt supporters also continued to gather outside the prison to offer their encouragement to the billionaire.

‘We came from Si Sa Ket to show our support. We will fight in the next general election and wait for you. Stay strong, our prime minister,’ one supporter said, smiling and glancing at Mr Nutthaphong.

The family responded with respectful gestures and posed for photos with the crowd. Mr Pidok also received a warm response from the red-shirt supporters.

Reporters also asked Ms Pintongta for her views on the opinion given by Justice Minister Rutthaphon Naowarat about Thaksin’s second petition for a royal pardon, but she declined to answer and quickly left the prison grounds.

Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon said on Wednesday that he had reviewed the pardon request submitted on Thaksin’s behalf and concluded it did not meet the legal criteria, citing multiple reasons. He declined to disclose further details.

The Supreme Court on Sept 9 sentenced Thaksin, 76, to prison, ordering him to actually serve the one-year imprisonment sentence handed down two years ago for abuse of power and conflict of interest while serving as prime minister from 2001-06.

The court rejected Thaksin’s previous claims of illness that had allowed him to stay in a VIP room at Police General Hospital from his return to Thailand in August 2023 until his parole in early 2024.

14th floor update

In a related development, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said it would expand its investigation into the ’14th floor case’, as Thaksin’s hospital stay has come to be known.

Surapong Intharathorn, the acting NACC secretary-general, said the panel has already questioned 12 civil servants linked to the case. However, two new people have since been implicated, with the investigation divided into two periods: Thaksin’s 180-day medical stay and the period following his parole.

Asked whether Thaksin himself would be named as a new suspect, Mr Surapong said the former premier was already serving a sentence in the original case.

‘The issue is whether the consequences of the earlier case extend to this new one,’ he said. ‘The inquiry panel must determine if he bears responsibility under the law, as he was not previously investigated in this matter.

‘While he did not directly commit an offence in this case, it will be up to the inquiry panel to decide.’

The Thaksin ruling was considered by many to be historic because it is rare for the Supreme Court to initiate its own inquiry. But Mr Surapong said such proceedings were not abnormal and were consistent with established judicial practice.

‘The court has authority to investigate facts, and while it may seem unusual to outsiders, it is within the bounds of legal procedure,’ he said.

The consumer confidence index (CCI) in September rose for the first time in eight months as consumers are optimistic about the government’s economic stimulus measures, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

Thanavath Phonvichai, president of UTCC, said the CCI increased from 50.1 in August to 50.7 in September, fuelled by positive reactions to the new cabinet ministers.

“The ‘Khon La Khrueng Plus’ co-payment scheme boosted consumer confidence, despite the Thai economy not having grown significantly. This should encourage consumer spending, reflecting the positive reception for government policies,” he said.

However, the CCI remains below 100 points, indicating that consumers see a slow economic recovery amid high living costs, said Mr Thanavath. Concerns about the trade war could potentially undermine consumer sentiment in the near term, he said.

Mr Thanavath expects improvements in the economy in the fourth quarter when the co-payment scheme becomes effective in November and December.

He said this initiative could inject 50-80 billion baht into the economy, potentially boosting GDP by 0.4-0.5 percentage points this year.

The UTCC upgraded its Thai GDP growth projection to 2% for this year, up from 1.7% previously, while predicting export growth of 6.1%, rising from 2.5%.

Private investment was revised to 1.1% growth from a projected contraction of 1.2%, and private consumption is expected to grow by 2.8%, driven by stimulus measures and increased consumption at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, several negative factors are affecting the economy, including a slowdown in tourism. Foreign tourist arrivals are projected at 33 million, down from 36 million in 2024, while tourism revenue is expected to fall from 1.69 trillion baht to 1.55 trillion.

Other factors include risks related to transshipment tariffs. Mr Thanavath said if the local content requirement is increased to 50-60%, it could lead to a decline in GDP of 0.27-0.5 percentage points within one year.

Uncertainties remain stemming from a minority government, as the anticipated dissolution of parliament within four months may make investors uneasy, he said.

Mr Thanavath said a lack of government stability could lead to a reduction in GDP of 0.75-0.9 percentage points from the baseline scenario.

In addition, fluctuations in foreign tourist numbers could affect growth. If arrivals vary from the baseline by 1 million, GDP would rise or fall by 0.25 percentage points, he said.

“It is important to monitor whether tourism and exports continue to grow, as this will determine whether Thailand’s GDP growth this year can surpass 2-2.5%,” Mr Thanavath said.

He said in addition to short-term economic fixes, the government must enhance long-term competitiveness to lift Thailand’s GDP growth to 4% in the future.

Danilo Yavhushyshyn fled the war in his native Ukraine to follow his dream of becoming a professional sumo wrestler in Japan and has taken the ancient sport by storm.

The 21-year-old competed in the world junior sumo championships as a teenager but left Ukraine after Russia’s February 2022 invasion.

He arrived in Japan two months later and made a blistering start to his career, reaching sumo’s upper divisions in only a year and winning promotion to the fourth-highest rank.

He took his bid to win a first title down to the final day of the July tournament and has twice beaten one of sumo’s two current grand masters.

Now known as Aonishiki and speaking fluent Japanese, he told reporters in Tokyo on Thursday that he wants to be the first European to reach sumo’s highest rank.

‘When I joined the sumo world I was confident that I could reach the upper divisions but I didn’t think that I could do it so quickly,’ he said.

‘I’ve surprised myself. Now my goal is to become a grand master.’

Yavhushyshyn was born in central Ukraine and took up sumo at the age of seven, becoming a national champion at 17.

His age meant he narrowly avoided Ukraine’s military draft for men aged 18 and older when war broke out and he sought refuge in Germany before moving to Japan.

His parents stayed in Germany and he arrived in Japan knowing nothing of the language.

Local rivalry

Yavhushyshyn has since settled into his new home but admits he still misses Ukraine and has not been able to visit since he left.

‘Of course I would like to go back because it’s the place where I was born and raised and I still have a lot of friends and family there,’ he said.

‘If it’s possible, I’d like to go back and meet them and walk on the streets of my home town.’

Yavhushyshyn became the second Ukraine-born professional sumo wrestler when he made his debut in July 2023, following in the footsteps of compatriot Serhii Sokolovskyi, better known as Shishi.

Sokolovskyi moved to Japan before the outbreak of war and the two are now rivals in the ring.

‘Shishi gave me some advice at first but now we’re competing against each other so I don’t want to get too close to him,’ said Yavhushyshyn.

‘I don’t speak to him so often but maybe when once we’ve both retired I’ll try to be friends with him.’

Yavhushyshyn’s promotion to sumo’s upper divisions was the fifth fastest since the current system of six tournaments a year was introduced in 1958.

He scalped one of the sport’s grand masters in only his 12th tournament and has a winning record in every competition he has appeared in so far.

He seems set for a successful career in the sport but admits that things do not always go to plan.

‘Human beings are weak and they have times where they feel tired or they feel down, but I know what my goal is and I always try to keep it in mind,’ he said.

‘There are tough times but I have to do my best to overcome them.’

Phuket International Airport reopened its main runway on Wednesday afternoon, three hours after a Royal Thai Navy aircraft experienced a landing gear malfunction and blocked the runway.

The belly landing by the Cessna T-337 Skymaster, which the Navy said was on a routine patrol, happened at 11.18am. There were no injuries.

The incident prompted an immediate emergency response to remove the aircraft and to thoroughly inspect the surface. Airport officials initially said the runway would be closed until 3pm.

The recovery operation was carried out by Navy pilots, aircraft technicians and Phuket airport officials. The airport drained the aircraft’s fuel and arranged for lifting equipment to remove the plane.

The aircraft was successfully moved off the runway at 1.49pm. After cleaning up the oil stains, the runway was reopened at 2.30 pm.

The closure affected a total of 70 flights, airport officials said in a statement.

Tourists are being warned to stop putting stickers over a big road sign in Kanchanaburi’s Thong Pha Phum district that has become an unofficial ‘check-in’ point for visitors travelling the highway.

Local officials issued the warning on Wednesday, saying the culprits could face legal action.

The sign is on a tall frame above highway 3272 and tells motorists they are approaching Ban Pilok.

Tourists have attached stickers to the poles and also climbed up to attach more on the Ban Pilok sign itself, officials said.

After passing the sign motorists must drive 399 curves over the next 63 kilometres of road to visit Ban E-Tong, where there is a popular old mine.

The local highway office will put up signs prohibiting attaching stickers and climbing up to the sign.

Officials said the tourists are damaging government property, obscuring the sign and breaking the highway law. Offenders were liable to up to six months in prison and/or a fine of 10,000 baht.

On the occasion of ‘World Sight Day,’ a leading ophthalmologist is highlighting two major but often overlooked eye conditions: age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). These conditions pose a serious risk to vision, particularly among individuals aged 50 and older and those living with diabetes. With new treatments that make care more convenient and less frequent, early diagnosis remains the best defence against preventable blindness.

To raise awareness, Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. hosted a seminar titled ‘Understanding Eye Diseases: Preserving Vision for a Better Quality of Life,’ featuring Dr Thanapong Somkijrungroj, retina specialist at Chulalongkorn Hospital.

‘The retina lets us see clearly and recognise details. When it’s damaged by diseases like nAMD or DME, central vision loss can severely affect daily life,’ said Dr Thanapong.

The Situation of Eye Diseases in Thailand

Thailand’s ageing population and rising diabetes rates are driving an increase in retinal diseases. A study involving more than 10,788 participants estimates that approximately 25,500 cases of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) affect individuals aged 50 and older. The overall prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the elderly is 3.0%, with wet AMD accounting for 74.1% of late-stage cases. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is also a growing concern, with an estimated 750,000 cases nationwide. This figure is based on findings that approximately 34.78% of diabetic retinopathy patients are affected by DME, combined with Thailand’s estimated 6.4 million diabetes patients (1,2,3).

Understanding DME and nAMD

Diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) are two leading causes of central vision loss, especially among older adults and people with diabetes. DME results from fluid leaking into the macula due to damaged retinal blood vessels-a complication of diabetic retinopathy. nAMD, common in those over 50, involves abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina, leading to rapid and severe vision loss if untreated.

Dr Thanapong advises patients to watch for four key symptoms: distorted vision (e.g. straight lines appearing wavy), dark spots obscuring central vision, reduced clarity requiring more light or difficulty seeing colours, and sudden vision deterioration.

‘Some patients may not notice symptoms early on or may mistake them for normal ageing. Without timely screening and treatment, patients face a high risk of permanent vision loss.’

Advanced Diagnostics and Longer-Acting Treatments Ease Burden and Protect Vision

Advanced tools such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography (OCTA), and AI-powered retinal imaging now enable earlier and more precise detection of retinal diseases, supporting timely intervention and better patient outcomes. These technologies not only support timely diagnosis but also help patients better understand their condition and the importance of prompt treatment to prevent irreversible vision loss.

Standard care involves intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents to reduce macular swelling and preserve vision. For diabetic patients, managing underlying health conditions such as blood sugar and blood pressure is also essential for long-term treatment success.

‘The key to treatment is long-term disease control, but frequent hospital visits for injections can be a major burden,’ said Dr Thanapong. ‘Previously, patients needed injections every one to two months, which was challenging for many.’

Today, new therapeutic innovations allow ophthalmologists to extend treatment intervals significantly, reducing the frequency of injections while maintaining effective disease control. This means fewer hospital visits, less disruption to daily life, and improved overall patient experience. Clinical data shows that treatment intervals can now be extended by nearly 50%, with some patients receiving injections only every four to five months.

A new generation of anti-VEGF therapy with extended intraocular durability is transforming retinal care. This innovation enables retina specialists to significantly lengthen treatment intervals while maintaining disease control comparable to more frequent injections. It offers greater convenience for patients, especially those who must travel from other provinces, and allows more time for family and daily life.

‘This advancement helps reduce the burden of ongoing treatment,’ said Dr Thanapong. ‘Patients no longer need to visit the hospital as frequently, and many can maintain stable vision with injections spaced up to four or five months apart. Recent data shows that approximately 47% of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and 53% of those with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) are able to extend their treatment intervals to 20 weeks or longer.’

Dr Thanapong also emphasised the importance of early detection, recommending annual eye exams for individuals over 50 and diabetic patients-even if they do not have any abnormal symptoms. Diabetic patients are at the highest risk for developing diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema, so they should undergo detailed retinal examinations at least once a year, alongside maintaining good blood sugar control.

Bayer Thai’s Commitment to Eye Health

Ms Chatchaya Chatratanarak, Head of Focus Brand in the Pharmaceuticals Division at Bayer Thai Co., Ltd., said ‘Bayer is committed to addressing major health challenges that impact quality of life. We are proud to support the World Sight Day campaign and raise awareness about retinal diseases, especially among at-risk groups. New treatment options that allow for extended intervals between injections represent a meaningful advancement in retinal care. They help reduce the burden of frequent hospital visits and support better long-term disease management. We encourage individuals to prioritise regular eye screenings and consult with ophthalmologists to explore appropriate treatment plans. Preserving vision is essential to maintaining independence and overall well-being.’

References:

Jenchitr W, Ruamviboonsuk P, Sanmee A, Pokawattana N. Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in Thailand. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2011 Feb;18(1):48-52. doi: 10.3109/09286586.2010.545502. PMID: 21275595.

Boonsaen T, Choksakunwong S, Lertwattanarak R. Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus at Siriraj Hospital – Thailand’s Largest National Tertiary Referral Center. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2021 Dec 29;14(null):4945-57.

Surawongsin A. Prevalence and Risk factors affecting centre involved diabetic macular edema in patients with diabetic retinopathy Mahasarakham Hospital. Mahasarakham Hospital Journal. 2023;20(3):23-33.

The Bank of Thailand claims it has not observed deflation in the Thai economy, even as it lowered its inflation forecast for this year to 0%, driven by declines in energy and fresh food prices.

Speaking after the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) meeting on Wednesday, committee secretary Sakkapop Panyanukul said the Thai economy shows no indication of entering a deflationary phase. He said deflationary risks remain low as most goods and services continue to see stable or rising prices.

“Price increases have not been broad-based, occurring mainly in energy and raw food items. Despite tighter financial conditions in the business sector due to slower bank loan growth, there are still no signs of deflationary risk,” he said.

Mr Sakkapop said the central bank will continue to monitor goods and services prices to assess potential deflation risks going forward.

The MPC lowered its headline inflation forecast on Wednesday to 0% for 2025, down from a previous outlook of 0.5%, and expects inflation of 0.5% in 2026. The inflation rate is projected to gradually return to the target range of 1-3% by early 2027.

The lower inflation outlook is mainly driven by supply-side factors, including falling global crude oil prices, government measures to reduce domestic retail fuel prices, and lower raw food prices following favourable weather conditions that increased supply, he said.

Meanwhile, core inflation is expected to remain steady at 0.9% in both 2025 and 2026, while medium-term inflation expectations among the private sector remain well-anchored within the central bank’s target range.

In addition, the MPC cut Thailand’s GDP growth forecast for this year to 2.2%, down from 2.3%, and lowered the 2026 projection to 1.6% from 1.7%, citing slower growth momentum in the third quarter and the impact of US tariffs on Thai exports.

However, Mr Sakkapop said the actual impact of US tariffs on Thai exports has been less severe than anticipated.

The MPC projects exports to grow by 10% this year before contracting by 1% in 2026. Under this scenario, the central bank plans to maintain an accommodative monetary policy stance throughout 2026.

The panel also voted 5-2 at the meeting to maintain the policy rate at 1.50%. Two members voted to reduce the rate by 0.25 percentage points to 1.25%, arguing a more accommodative policy would better support economic recovery, ensure favourable financial conditions, and ease debt burdens for small and medium-sized enterprises and vulnerable households.

The Bank of Thailand’s policy rate remains the third-lowest in the world, behind only Switzerland and Japan.

AS EXPECTED

Nuttaporn Triratanasirikul, deputy managing director of Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research), said the MPC’s decision aligned with its forecast as economic conditions have not significantly diverged from the central bank’s earlier assessment.

She said the new government’s stimulus measures are expected to bolster economic growth in the final quarter, which was previously forecast to remain relatively flat year-on-year with exports contracting following the US tariff measures.

“Considering the impact of the government’s stimulus, the likelihood of a technical recession in the last quarter is very low,” Ms Nuttaporn told the Bangkok Post.

She said Kasikornbank maintains its projection for a Thai policy rate trim in December, down to 1.25% by year-end.

“However, if the stimulus package substantially lifts GDP growth in the final quarter, the MPC may opt to keep the rate unchanged at its December meeting,” said Ms Nuttaporn.

K-Research projects another Thai interest rate reduction in the first half of 2026, as overseas shipments are expected to feel the full-year impact of US tariffs, including sector-specific duties on products such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, she said.

Veeravat Virochpoka, head of research at FSS International Investment Advisory Securities, said after three consecutive rate cuts, the Bank of Thailand likely believes it can manage economic conditions at the existing rate.

Given the expected slowdown in the global economy in the fourth quarter and early 2026, the central bank may be reserving its policy space for a potential rate cut in December, said Mr Veeravat.

The Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 5-2 on Wednesday to send the Yankees packing in the Major League Baseball playoffs, as the Cubs and Tigers stayed alive.

Toronto won the-best-of-five American League division series 3-1 to advance to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2016.

They’ll face either the Seattle Mariners or Detroit Tigers for a place in the World Series.

Detroit downed the Seattle Mariners 9-3 to level their American League series at two games apiece.

The Chicago Cubs edged the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 to pull within 2-1 in their National League division series.

The reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers were vying for a series sweep when they hosted the Phillies later Wednesday after taking the first two games of their National League series in Philadelphia.

The Yankees, winners of 27 World Series titles, had rallied from five runs down to fend off elimination on Tuesday, but they couldn’t find another win against the Blue Jays – who had pipped them to the American League East division title.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr singled in a run to put Toronto on the board in the first inning.

Ryan McMahon pulled New York level with a home run in the third, but the Blue Jays inched back in front with a run in the fifth on George Springer’s sacrifice fly after Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez led off the inning with singles.

Nathan Lukes gave the Blue Jays a bit of breathing room with a two-run single up the middle off Yankees reliever Devin Williams with two outs in the seventh that pushed Toronto’s lead to 4-1.

The Blue Jays added one run in the eighth and survived a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the inning, the Yankees plating one run in the ninth before Toronto closed it out.

The Yankees, who fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series last year, haven’t lifted the crown since 2009.

‘We believe’

In Detroit, Riley Greene and Javier Baez both homered in a four-run sixth inning as the Tigers rallied to beat the Mariners.

Gleyber Torres added a home run in the seventh inning for the Tigers, who fended off elimination in a series that now heads to Seattle for a decisive game five on Friday.

‘We believe,’ Greene said. ‘We’re never out of the game no matter what and we always believe in ourselves.’

National League top seeds Milwaukee made a promising start in Chicago with a run in the top of the first.

But Michael Busch’s leadoff homer ignited a four-run Cubs first inning and Chicago held on.

‘I thought we were just locked in from the beginning,’ Busch said. ‘They happened to give us four runs to win it, but I thought right off the bat, all nine of us kind of gave really good at-bats.’

Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers drove in a run with a single in the fourth inning and homered in the seventh to make it a one-run game.

But the Brewers left the bases loaded in the eighth as Cubs pitcher Brad Keller struck out Bauers to end the inning.

Keller retired three straight in the ninth for the four-out save and the Cubs will host game four at Wrigley Field on Thursday aiming to level the series.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn eased into the second round of the US$475,000 (approx 15.2 million baht) BWF Arctic Open in Finland on Wednesday.

The Thai top seed cruised past Ayush Shetty of India 21-15, 21-16 in his opening match of the World Tour Super 500 event on Wednesday.

Kunlavut will face Yushi Tanaka of Japan in the last 16 on Thursday.

Women’s doubles pair Benyapa Aimsaard and Sabrina Sophita Wedler made an early exit after losing to eighth seeds Hsu Yin-Hui and Lin Jhih-yun of Taiwan 12-21, 13-21.

Women’s singles hopes Ratchanok Intanon and Busanan Ongbamrungphan both reached the last 16 after winning their first round matches on Tuesday.

Second seed Ratchanok defeated Romane Cloteaux-Foucault of France 21-5, 21-12 and will play Tanya Hemanth of India in the last 16.

Fourth seed Busanan defeated Polina Buhrova of Ukraine 21-15, 21-13 in the first round and will next meet Line Christophersen of Denmark.

The two could face each other in the semi-finals.

Mixed doubles world No.3 pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran also came through their opener on Tuesday, beating Dutch players Andy Buijk and Meerte Loos 21-7, 21-12 in only 23 minutes.

The third seeds will play Czech pair Ondrej Kral and Tereza Svabikova in the last 16.

Dechapol and Supissara won the China Masters last month, their fourth title this year and sixth overall.

Another mixed pair, Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, ended a string of first-round exits after an upset win over fourth seeds Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui of China 21-7, 21-15 on Tuesday.

They will play Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch of Denmark in the last 16 on Thursday.

Also, men’s third seed Christo Popov of France, fifth seed Kodai Naraoka of Japan and Lee Chia-hao of Taiwan all won their opening matches on Wednesday.