ABU DHABI: Cricket-mad India shocked and humiliated Thailand 4-1 in the team's first Group A match of the Asian Cup football tournament on Sunday.
Immediately after the match, the Football Association of Thailand released Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac, already under strong criticism for weak performances by the War Elephants all during last year.
Assistant coach Sirisak Yodyathai will handle the team through the rest of its Asian Cup campaign - at least two more matches.
Veteran Indian striker Sunil Chhetri scored twice, and overtook Lionel Messi to become the second highest-scoring active international player, with 66, one more than Messi. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (85) is ahead of him.
Watched by the 12 Wild Boars - Chiang Rai schoolboys and their coach rescued from flooded Tham Luang cave last July after being trapped for more than two weeks - the War Elephants had little answer to India's brimming energy in Abu Dhabi.
The loss leaves Thailand alone in the cellar of Group A in the tournament - with two games to play against even tougher opponents than India.
Chhetri opened the scoring when he smashed home from the penalty spot after 27 minutes.
The Blue Tigers were in front for just seven minutes, though, as Thai captain Teerasil Dangda gave hope by bravely heading home a Theerathon Bunmathan free kick.
But Chhetri drilled his second goal of the game moments into the second half following a lung-bursting run down the right from Udanta Singh.
On hand at Al Nahyan Stadium stadium in Abu Dhabi to cheer for Thailand on Sunday were members of the Wild Boars football club who were rescued last July from the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai. (AFP photo)
Things got worse for Thailand when Anirudh Thapa chipped in a third in the 68th minute before substitute Lalpekhlua Jeje completed the rout to leave India as unlikely group leaders.
Hosts United Arab Emirates were held 1-1 by Bahrain in Saturday's curtain-raiser.
Thailand next face Bahrain at 6pm on Thursday (Thailand time), and will play their last Group A game at 11pm on Monday of next week, against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Asian Cup tournament hosts.
An official video wrap of the match was provided by Asian Cup organisers.
In the first big shock of the tournament, Jordan - the world's 109th-ranked team - pulled off one of the biggest wins in its history by beating Australia 1-0 on Sunday.
Anas Bani Yaseen was the match-winner, finding space following a short-corner routine by Jordan to guide in a near-post header in the 26th minute.
Jordan had just 24% possession in the match and rode its luck under severe pressure in the second half, with Awer Mabil hitting the post for Australia and Jamie Maclaren having a goal disallowed for a narrow offside.
After Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi produced a double save in the last attack of the match, the referee blew the final whistle and Jordan's players sank to their knees and clutched their heads.
While the Jordanians are already close to a third quarterfinal appearance in the Asian Cup, Australia likely cannot afford another setback against Syria or Palestine in their other Group B matches in the United Arab Emirates.
"This will hurt everyone, I know that," Australia captain Mark Milligan said. "It's hurting me at the minute."
On Saturday in Group A play, Thailand's coming rival UAE survived a scare to salvage a controversial 1-1 draw in their Asian Cup curtain-raiser against Bahrain, at Abu Dhabi.
Substitute Ahmed Khalil smashed home a late penalty harshly awarded for a handball after Mohamed Alromaihi had given Bahrain a shock lead in Abu Dhabi.
"The crowd was like a 12th man for us, so I wish we could have given them the victory," said UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni.
"But we will have to take this lesson and move on. The important thing is to evolve gradually from one game to the next and grow into the tournament."
The UAE scored after just 14 seconds when the two teams met at the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia but there was little danger of that in a scruffy first half.
UAE's Ismail Alhammadi fired tamely at goalkeeper Sayed Alawi after six minutes before Ali Mabkhout blazed wildly over.
Bahrain went close just before halftime when Komail Alaswad fizzed a free kick just over the bar.
UAE forward Ahmed Khalil, right, celebrates with teammates after converting a late penalty against Bahrain during their Group A match. (AP photo)
The home side's profligacy continued as Mabkhout lashed wide from point-blank range.
That wastefulness came back to haunt the UAE after 78 minutes when Alromaihi bundled home after his initial header appeared to have crossed the line.
Sami Alhusaini almost equalised five minutes from time, only for Alawi to pull off a stunning block.
But Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh pointed to the spot five minutes from time for what appeared to be an unintentional handball to offer the hosts a lifeline.
Khalil, appearing in his 100th international, displayed nerves of steel as he stepped up to rifle the spot kick into the top corner and send a raucous crowd of 33,000 wild.
Bahrain coach Miroslav Soukup kept his counsel after the late setback, refusing to criticse the referee.
"You could maybe say it was hard luck," said the Czech. "I didn't see it and I haven't seen the video, but the players were in the locker room saying it wasn't a deliberate handball - so it's bad luck."