Shahad’s side picked up a point in the meeting with the Olyroos on Wednesday despite enduring a difficult pre-tournament preparation period due to the suspension of the Iraqi league, which has left many of his players short of match fitness.

But, with a game under their belts, the coach is confident his team will take a step forward at Thammasat Stadium as they seek to move towards a place in the knockout rounds.

Thailand enjoyed a fantastic start in their Group A opener, scoring five unanswered goals against Bahrain to secure all three points on Wednesday, with Suphanat scoring the opener in the 12th minute, with his second coming in the 79th minute.

Qasim came off the bench to level the scores for Iraq after Reno Piscopo had given Australia the lead with a free-kick that found the top corner of Ali Khadim’s goal.

But Qasim outmuscled Keanu Baccus before beating Thomas Glover with his own effort from outside the area with 13 minutes to go at Thammasat Stadium to give the Iraqis a share of the points.

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.