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Published on November 27, 2007

In the Asian third qualifying round, 20 nations have been drawn into five groups of four, playing on a round-robin basis. The top two teams from each section will qualify for the next stage.

Besides Japan, who are expected to have little trouble in steering their way out of the group, Thailand can be content with the draw.

The other two teams included in Group B are Bahrain and Oman, the sides that are presumed the weakest among the second and third-tier nations, respectively.

The fact that Chanvit Pholchivin's men enjoyed an impressive 2-0 victory over Oman and Bahrain had a

miserable campaign in the recent Asian Cup, gives the Thailand team a reason to be cheerful about their prospects of a berth in the final qualifying round for the second consecutive time.

Chanvit, the national coach, was confident that his side could make it through.

"We're in the group that we should be able to move past. Our group is far easier compared to Group A, which contains Australia, Asian Cup champions Iraq, China and the Asian Games winners Qatar.

"We aren't inferior to Bahrain and Oman. But, we must acknowledge that the Japanese are a cut above in the group," Chanvit said.

If Thailand are to survive the group stage, Chanvit believes his side needs to make the most from their home fixtures.

"We've usually performed well when we played host. Should we manage to draw with Japan and beat Oman and Bahrain, only three more points are required from our away matches.

"I believe a ten-point tally will be sufficient to secure qualification. I'm convinced we can make it," Chanvit said.

The third qualifying round starts in February.

The Nation