A double from Suphawut Thueanklang yesterday gave Thailand their ninth Asean crown when they beat Australia 2-1 in the final of the AFF Futsal Championship at the Bangkok Thonburi University Stadium.
With this year's tournament serving as a qualifying round for the AFC Futsal Championship next year, Thailand's victory suggests they will be the team to beat at the SEA Games this December.
"Of course everyone has their eyes on the SEA Games and we are no different but we showed that we are still dominant in the region," Thailand coach Victor Hermans said of the need to switch focus.
"For the SEA Games, I think that we can go to Myanmar with just 10 players from this current squad here plus several others."
The Thais started strongly as they controlled the game and pushed Australia back into their own half. Australia were content to sit back and absorb the continuous onslaught but in the 13th minute, against the run of play, Suphawut rounded Australian keeper Peter Spathis before scoring to give the Thais the lead.
Thailand kept up the pressure all the way into the second half. In the 26th minute, with the Australian keeper out of position, Suphawut slammed the ball in from midfield.
Australian scored through Jarrod Basger but it was too late.