The win kept Thailand’s qualification hopes alive in Group D, with the Southeast Asian side moving up to nine points, reports the Bangkok Post.
Thailand’s head coach, Masatada Ishii, praised his team for collecting six points from their two matches against Taiwan.
“I am pleased with the overall performance of the team in both matches, as we won both games,” said the Japanese coach.
“Of course, in the home match, Thai football fans came to watch and filled the stadium. For this game, we played away, but there were still many fans who came to support us. This motivated the team a lot.
“This was our second meeting with the same team, so we had analysed their game very well.
“If you ask me, we were not perfect; otherwise, we would not have allowed them to score that goal so early after the break.”
Thailand, who had secured a 2-0 win over Taiwan in Bangkok, dominated from the outset and opened their account as early as the fourth minute. Teerasak chipped the ball over Taiwan goalkeeper Huang Chiu-lin’s head from Seksan Ratree’s cross.
The hosts tried to respond but were unable to convert their chances, as Thailand calmly absorbed the pressure before doubling their tally in the 25th minute through Seksan, who slotted home from close range.
Taiwan came close in the 40th minute when Chen Po-liang dragged his shot just wide of the post. Masatada Ishii’s side extended their lead in first-half stoppage time, with Supachok Sarachat converting Weerathep Pomphan’s layoff from inside the area to make it 3-0.
Taiwan came out charging after the break and reduced the deficit in the 47th minute, with Kuo Po-wei firing a left-footed shot past Thailand keeper Patiwat Khammai. However, Thailand quickly reasserted their dominance, with Teerasak scoring his second in the 62nd minute from a corner before completing his hat-trick with a powerful drive from inside the box in the 75th minute.
The Southeast Asian side’s sustained pressure resulted in Huang Tzu-ming turning the ball into his own net after Santipharp Channgom’s cross deflected off the Taiwanese defender in the third minute of stoppage time, sealing the impressive victory.
Teerasak, celebrating his first international hat-trick, admitted the goals eased the pressure on him.
“I’m very happy to score three for the national team. It’s a special moment for me, and I want to thank the fans both in the stadium and back home,” he said.
Thailand will next play Sri Lanka in their fifth match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on Nov 18.
In the other Group D match, Turkmenistan remained in control of their destiny after sealing a 2-1 win over Sri Lanka.
The victory meant Turkmenistan returned to the top of the group, level on nine points with Thailand but holding a favourable head-to-head record against the Southeast Asian side.