Malaysia only went into the encounter at Bukit Jalil National Stadium with slim hopes because of the contrasting form going into the match from both teams but Tan Cheng Hoe's boys produced an outstanding come from behind win against the mighty Thais to end a run of two successive defeats in the qualification stage.
Rain poured down at the stadium a good two hours before the kick-off and the slick surface under the lights became the stage of a magnificent Harimau Malaya success that few thought could happen because of the aforementioned circumstances.
For the first time in these qualification matches, Cheng Hoe opted for Syafiq Ahmad to be the man leading the line in place of the vastly experienced Norhsharul Idlan Talaha, gave Syamer Kutty Abba his return back to a starting berth in a competitive match as well as offering Khairulazhan Khalid a start ahead of Farizal Marlias, and to a man, they all repaid his faith in them.