Bryan Robson tasted victory in his first competitive game as Thailand's head coach as they cruised to a deserved win over hosts, Singapore.
In what was a tense game of football between the two South-East Asian powerhouses at Kallang National Stadium played out in front of 22,183 fans, tackles went flying in from the start.
Thai defender, Natthaphong Samana, was first into the referee's book in the 3rd minute for a bad foul on Muhammad Ridhuan.
Nine minutes later, referee, Takayama Hiroyoshi, made a controversial call as he awarded Thailand with a penalty-kick when Noh Alam Shah handled a Datsakorn Thonglao shot in the box.
Former Home United winger, Sutee Suksomkit stepped up and put the Thais into the lead.
The Lions never quite recovered from there on and play for the rest of the first-half was a scrappy affair with neither side creating much chances.
Lions' coach, Raddy Avramovic's team came out of the break looking determined to haul themselves back in the game with strikers, Khairul Amri and Indra Sahdan, coming on.
Just when the home crowd were given a glimmer of hope as Singapore strung a few decent moves that caught the Thais out, Robson's men were gifted a perfect opportunity when Baihakki Khaizan's miscued clearance fell to the feet of a grateful Suchao Nutnum who released a perfectly weighted cross for substitute Therdsak Chaiman to slot home.
Two goals up in the Lions den and there was more drama to come.
As Singapore threw everything they had on the attack, Sutee Suksomkit broke through the shabby Lions' defence to drill home a third in the 81st minute.
Singapore replied immediately with a well-executed spot-kick which Mustafic Fahrudin converted after Amri was fouled in the box.
With nine minutes left, Thailand were happy to pass the ball around while Singapore lost their zest as the clock ticked down.
The result means Thailand now move into second place behind leaders Iran in Group E while Singapore drop to third.
Hassan Sunny, Muhammad Ridhuan, Baihakki Khaizan, Noh Rahman(c), Noh Alam Shah, Aleksandar Duric, John Wilkinson, Mustafic Fahrudin, Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak, Shaiful Esah
Substitutes
Precious Emuejeraye, Indra Sahdan, Khairul Amri, Lionel Lewis, Rosman Sulaiman, Hariss Harun, Fazrul Nawaz
Kosin Hathairattanakool, Suree Sukha, Natthaphong Samana, Nattaporn Phanrit, Panupong Wongsa, Datsakorn Thonglao(c), Suchao Nutnum, Sutee Suksomkit, Surat Sukha, Teerasil Dangda, Pipat Thonkanya
Substitutes
Kittisak Rawangpa, Kiatprawut Saiwaeo,Suttinun Phukhom, Peter Laeng, Rangsan Vivatchaichok, Therdsak Chaiman, Nirut Suasiang, Teeratep Winothai, Anon Sangsanoi
Referee - Takayama Hiroyoshi (JPN)
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