A brace apiece from Suphanat Mueanta and Jaroensak Wonggorn helped the host nation breeze to a comfortable Matchday One victory at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium, success which saw them go two points clear at the top of the Group A standings.

A brace apiece from Suphanat Mueanta and substitute Jaroensak Wonggorn helped secure the Matchday One victory at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium, success which saw Thailand go two points clear at the top of the standings.

The resounding performance has left Thailand well placed to reach the competition’s knockout phase for the first time in three attempts – and Nishino full of praise for his young charges.

Mohamed Qasim scored with 13 minutes remaining to cancel out Reno Piscopo’s opener for the Olyroos as both teams picked up a point in their first Group A game at Thammasat Stadium.

Qasim had only been on the field eight minutes before earning Abdulghani Shahad’s side a point having seen Piscopo give the Olyroos the lead with a high quality strike into the top corner of Ali Khadim’s goal. 

Piscopo, who had been a threat throughout his 64 minutes on the field, put Australia ahead just two minutes before he was replaced by Zachary Duncan when he arrowed his free-kick from 25 yards beyond the outstretched hands of Khadim.

That goal was no less than the Australians deserved after dominating the second half until that point, with Iraq having offered little after an even first half.

Two goals from Suphanat Mueanta provided the platform for success on a night when both the Buriram United ace and Thailand shone brightly from start to finish against a Bahrain outfit which, in truth, created few genuine opportunities.

The result leaves Akira Nishino’s charges two points clear at the summit following Iraq’s 1-1 draw with Australia earlier in the day and adds genuine momentum to their bid to reach the competition’s knockout phase for the first time in three attempts.

Ghareeb converted from the spot two minutes from time after referee Chris Beath confirmed via the Video Assistant Referee that Makoto Okazaki had fouled Feras Al Brikan and the Al Ahli striker made no mistake from the spot.

The game had looked destined to end in a draw after Ayman Al Khulaif had seen his 48th minute opener for Saudi Arabia cancelled out by Ryotaro Meshino nine minutes later.

Dali converted Mohammad Alhallak’s cross at the far post to earn a share of the spoils for Syria on a night when Yusuf Abdurisag’s early effort and an own goal from defender Yosief Mohammad had threatened to be their undoing.