Thailand coach Akira Nishino has highlighted the contribution of Supachok Sarachat, Ekanit Panya and Supachai Chaided in the team's impressive 3-0 victory over Indonesia in their second 2022 World Cup Asian Zone Group G qualifier in Jakarta on Tuesday night.
The victory -- Nishino's first in an official match since taking over as coach of the War Elephants in July -- put Thailand on top of Group G with four points from two matches.
The United Arab Emirates, the top seeded team in the group, are second on three points after they beat Malaysia 2-1 in their opening match in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia are third with three points from two games, while Vietnam, who were idle on Tuesday, are fourth with one point. Indonesia are bottom after two losses.
"I would like to thank every player. I'm very happy about the result," said Nishino. "All our young players such as Supachok, Ekanit and Supachai played very well.
"Supachok was under a lot of pressure in the first game against Vietnam. But today he kept on fighting and worked very hard."
The 21-year-old Supachok, who was named man of the match for the second time in as many games, put on a match-winning performance, scoring twice in the second half for his first goals for Thailand.
Theerathon Bunmathan scored the other goal from the penalty spot.
Debutant Ekanit started in place of the injured Thitiphan Puangjan on the right side of the Thai attack and the 19-year-old Chiang Rai United midfielder put on a mature display.
Supachai, 20, was in the starting line-up in Jakarta after being kept on the bench for most of the match against Vietnam. The Buriram United forward did not disappoint as it was his clever short pass that helped his clubmate Supachok to steer clear of the Indonesian defence and net the first goal for the Thais.
Nishino also praised playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin, who took on a mentor's role in the current young squad.
"Chanathip is now one of the senior players in the team and he played a vital role in giving advice to the younger players," said the Japanese.
Thitiphan's injury blow
Thailand will likely be without Thitiphan in their third qualifying match at home against the UAE on Oct 15.
The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in the match against Vietnam last Thursday and will be out of action for eight weeks, according to his J-League club Oita Trinita's official website.
Big payday for players
Thailand players have already pocketed nine million baht after their 3-0 victory in Jakarta.
ThaiBev has offered two million baht for each goal scored during the World Cup qualifying campaign on top of the one-million-baht cash reward per goal from the Football Association of Thailand.
Elkeson double on debut
Brazil-born striker Elkeson struck twice on his debut to give Marcello Lippi's China a crushing 5-0 win over Maldives in their Group A qualifier in Male on Tuesday.
Chinese football authorities included the 30-year-old in the national side last month in a bid to improve their chances of qualifying for the 2022 tournament in Qatar and Elkeson lived up to expectations by netting two penalties late in the Group A match at the Rasmee Dhandu Stadium.