Thailand was for decades generally considered as whipping boys in this part of the world.
It is still ranked 129th in the world but that's not expected to last too long.
Its fortunes are changing because the "War Elephants" have assembled a competitive national team under police lieutenant Kiatisuk Senamuang that is still unbeaten in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
It's early days, of course, but the signs clearly are there.
After two rounds coach Senamuang's team is leading Asian Group F with maximum points.
Thailand has beaten Vietnam 1-0 in Bangkok and Chinese Taipei 2-0 in Taipei City and will go into its next match at home to Iraq, which has yet to play a game in this campaign, with its confidence sky high.
It is not that long ago that Australia whipped the Thais 4-0 in a group match of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup at a steamy Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.
The Socceroos however were given a few frights four years later in two group matches in the qualification phase of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
After Thailand took a shock lead in Brisbane with a well-taken early goal from striker Teerasil Dangda, the Australians found it hard to break down the well organised visitor.
A goal from Josh Kennedy and a late winner from substitute Alex Brosque gave the Socceroos a slender 2-1 win and saved the team's blushes.
Holger Osieck's side was also forced to dig deep for the points in the 'return' game in Bangkok.
The match was headed for a goalless draw when striker Brett Holman came up with a winning goal 13 minutes from time.
At club level Melbourne Victory was given a solid run for its money by Muangthong United in a pulsating one-off playoff in Geelong for a spot in the 2014 AFC Champions League.
The Thai champion was not given much chance of beating Victory but an upset was on the cards until midfielder Leigh Broxham came up with a stunning shot seven minutes from time to seal a 2-1 win. The end-to-end match could have gone anywhere.
These performances and close results show very clearly that Thailand is narrowing the technical gap that separates it from Australia at national and club level.
Sergio Van Dijk, who terrorised the A-League's defences during a five-year spell with Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United from 2008, today plays his club football for Suphanburi in the Thai Premier League.
The Dutchman who has become a naturalised Indonesian believes Thailand's football is on the right track but its players need a stronger temperament to go with their technique.
"The standard of football here is okay," Van Dijk says.
"But if they had a stronger mindset like the Aussies have, football would develop faster."
The two countries have a strong chance of reaching the 10-team final phase of qualifying for a spot in the World Cup finals in Russia in three years.
Should the two teams cross paths again, Ange Postecoglou and his men would be well advised to treat the Thais as a team that needs to be taken seriously and with all respect.
As if Asian football does not have enough pitfalls, the Thais now appear to have shed their 'easybeats' image to become a serious player in the region.
Thailand was for decades generally considered as whipping boys in this part of the world.It is still ranked 129th in the world but that's not expected to last too long.Its fortunes are changing because the "War Elephants" have assembled a competitive national team under police lieutenant Kiatisuk Senamuang that is still unbeaten in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying.It's early days, of course, but the signs clearly are there.After two rounds coach Senamuang's team is leading Asian Group F with maximum points.Thailand has beaten Vietnam 1-0 in Bangkok and Chinese Taipei 2-0 in Taipei City and will go into its next match at home to Iraq, which has yet to play a game in this campaign, with its confidence sky high.It is not that long ago that Australia whipped the Thais 4-0 in a group match of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup at a steamy Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.The Socceroos however were given a few frights four years later in two group matches in the qualification phase of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.After Thailand took a shock lead in Brisbane with a well-taken early goal from striker Teerasil Dangda, the Australians found it hard to break down the well organised visitor.A goal from Josh Kennedy and a late winner from substitute Alex Brosque gave the Socceroos a slender 2-1 win and saved the team's blushes.Holger Osieck's side was also forced to dig deep for the points in the 'return' game in Bangkok.The match was headed for a goalless draw when striker Brett Holman came up with a winning goal 13 minutes from time.At club level Melbourne Victory was given a solid run for its money by Muangthong United in a pulsating one-off playoff in Geelong for a spot in the 2014 AFC Champions League.The Thai champion was not given much chance of beating Victory but an upset was on the cards until midfielder Leigh Broxham came up with a stunning shot seven minutes from time to seal a 2-1 win. The end-to-end match could have gone anywhere.These performances and close results show very clearly that Thailand is narrowing the technical gap that separates it from Australia at national and club level.Sergio Van Dijk, who terrorised the A-League's defences during a five-year spell with Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United from 2008, today plays his club football for Suphanburi in the Thai Premier League.The Dutchman who has become a naturalised Indonesian believes Thailand's football is on the right track but its players need a stronger temperament to go with their technique."The standard of football here is okay," Van Dijk says."But if they had a stronger mindset like the Aussies have, football would develop faster."The two countries have a strong chance of reaching the 10-team final phase of qualifying for a spot in the World Cup finals in Russia in three years.Should the two teams cross paths again, Ange Postecoglou and his men would be well advised to treat the Thais as a team that needs to be taken seriously and with all respect.
As if Asian football does not have enough pitfalls, the Thais now appear to have shed their 'easybeats' image to become a serious player in the region.
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