Australia's young footballers are now within touching distance of a quarter-final berth, having drawn 1-1 with Iraq in their first Group A game.  

But it wasn't an ideal start, with Thailand, who hammered Bahrain in their first match 5-0, taking an early advantage through Anon Amornlerdsak at Rajamangala National Stadium.

However, the game changed just before halftime, when Nicholas D'Agostino delivered a neat finish after good work by Reno Piscopo. 

With 14 minutes left, D'Agostino wrapped up the three points with a great strike from 10 yards. 

In the other Group A encounter at Thammasat Stadium, Rangsit, Bahrain will be disappointed to have come away with just a 2-2 draw against Iraq, having led the game twice. 

Mohamed Qasim was the Iraqi hero, coming off the bench and striking for a second time in the tournament to earn Abdulghani Shahad's side a point in injury time. 

Hashim Isa had put Bahrain ahead just before halftime, before Amir Fouad equalised on 65 minutes. 

With three minutes left, Mohamed Marhoon appeared to have given Bahrain a dramatic victory, until Qasim's late, late intervention. 

Australia top the group on four points, requiring just a point in their final game against Bahrain on Tuesday (14 January).

Tomorrow sees Group B back in action, with Saudi Arabia playing Qatar and Syria up against Japan.