Despite stuttering to find their rhythm in the initial stages, the Kingdom, who had held a 1-0 advantage heading into the match after the away first leg last week, gradually gained their foothold in the game against their mediocre opponents before securing their passage with a 6-1 aggregate victory.

"I told the players before the game that if we could control the situation in the opening half an hour, we would win the game because I thought they would come at us first," said Prapol Pongpanich, the national team coach.

"It happened exactly as I said. The lads were very determined and did very good jobs today. I had expected a victory with a two-goal margin so the result has really flattered me," said Prapol.

A tough test awaits Thailand in the group-stage next month as Prapol's side will face strong opponents North Korea and Iraq.

Prapol surprisingly made a last-minute change to his line-up, with Teerasil Dangda taking his place up front instead of Ronnachai Rangsiyo who initially was expected to start.

However, Prapol's decision bore fruit as Teerasil and his partner Teeratep "Leesaw" Winothai tormented the visitors' defence, creating all sorts of problems with their superior individual technique.

Although the visitors seemed to have enjoyed a bigger share of possession in the opening exchanges, they rarely threatened the home side's goal.

As the game progressed, the class difference between the two sides became more apparent as Thailand began imposing their influence on the match.

After forcing the visitors on the back foot for long periods, the hosts finally broke down the stubborn resistance in the 32nd minute with a clinical finish by Teerasil. The forward controlled the loose ball in front of the goal when the Turkmenistan defence failed to clear the danger and lashed it high into the roof of the net.

Thailand never looked back after taking the lead and barely a minute later they doubled their advantage, virtually putting an end to the visitors' faint hopes of qualification.

Teeratep, who terrorised the defenders throughout the evening with his pace, latched onto the ball on the left side before advancing into the area and calmly placing an angled shot into the far corner, sending the fans into wild celebration.

On the stroke of half time, the game effectively ended as a contest when Thailand made it 3-0 through lively Teeratep who ran clear towards the goal following a Jakkaphan Kaewprom defence-splitting pass before rounding the keeper and firing the ball into the empty net.

In the second half, Thailand maintained their control of the game and managed to claim two more goals through substitute strikers Chachrit Buathong and Ronnachai while Turkmenistan got a consolation goal early in the half.

Kitinan Sanguansak

The Nation