Uzbekistan will now face hosts Qatar in the quarterfinals of the quadrennial football tournament, reports the Bangkok Post.
The War Elephants were looking to beat Uzbekistan for the first time since 2007 but the central Asian nation scored two stellar goals to deny Masatada Ishii’s side.
Uzbekistan took the lead 37 minutes into the first half when Diyor Holmatov lobbed a cross-field ball into the box to Azizbek Turgunboev, who expertly controlled the pass with his chest before volleying it past Patiwat Khammai in Thailand’s goal.
But Thailand equalised just before the hour mark when Supachok Sarachat pulled the trigger from more than 25 yards out, with his low shot curling past Uzbek keeper Utkir Yusupov who could not react in time.
However, Uzbekistan restored their lead seven minutes later through Abbosbek Fayzullaev when the winger quickly turned his defender and fired from the edge of the box, directing a low shot that squeezed past the keeper and into the net.
Thailand appeared to grow stronger as the match wore on, with 56% of total possession and a respectable 8 shots on goal, three of them on target. The War Elephants continued to press during seven minutes of injury time but were able to create only one meaningful chance.
Uzbekistan are the sixth team to secure their place in the quarterfinals, joining Qatar, Australia, Jordan and Tajikistan.
South Korea also prgressed thanks to a 4-2 penalty shootout win against Saudi Arabia yesterday after the scores were tied 1-1 at full-time.
Two more spots remain to be decided, with Iran taking on Syria and Bahrain facing Japan later today.