Having seized control from the first blow of the whistle, Japan opened accounts in the 13th minute when Thailand failed to deal with a corner taken by Rento Takaoka, with the ball falling kindly for the unmarked Hisatsugu Ishii, who coolly slipped it home from the left of the six yard box past a stranded Anut Samran.

The goal spurred the 2023 semi-finalists as they maintained their tempo, reducing Thailand to sporadic attempts which were hampered by poor finishing and the safe hands of custodian Rui Akari.

Japan came close in the 29th minute when Ishii dummied a Thai defender and let fly a cracker of a shot from just inside the box that rattled the right post. 

They claimed their second in the 32nd minute, when Anut brought down Hagumu Nakagawa in the penalty area. Rion Ichihara duly converted from the spot by sending the keeper the wrong way.

Thailand proved the more aggressive side after the break, with Thanawut Phoch seeing his 55th-minute attempt from outside the box pushed away by Akari.

Japan scored their third against the run of play in the 69th minute when Rei Umeki ran down the left side of the pitch and passed to an unmarked Ryunosuke Sato, who gleefully side-stepped the ball past a diving Anut.

Thailand had one last stab at goal in the 87th minute from a free-kick by Peeranan Buakai but Thanawut Phochai was ruled offside.

Japan will be in for a tough time on Matchday 2 against Syria, who finished their Qualifiers unbeaten, while Thailand will have their hands full with 12-time champions Korea Republic. Both matches will be played on Monday.