Doha, April 19 (QNA) - Saudi Arabia produced a dominant performance to beat Thailand 5-0 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 Group C tie at Khalifa International Stadium as they edged closer to a place in the quarter-finals.

Aiman Yahya, who grabbed a brace against Tajikistan in their opening game, scored once and assisted two with Abdullah Radif hitting a hat-trick as the 2022 champions made it two wins out of two with Iraq up next for them on Monday.

Saad Al Shehri named the same line-up that had started in the Matchday One win over Tajikistan while Ithsara Sritharo opted for two changes with forward Teerasak Poeiphimai and midfielder Sittha Boonlha coming into the fray.

It didn't take long for Saudi Arabia to open the scoring, with Haitahm Asiri whipping in a low cross in the fourth minute that was expertly flicked into the far corner by Yahya for his third goal of the tournament.

Thailand captain Sokponwit Rakyart was kept busy by wave after wave of Saudi attacks, producing saves to deny Ahmed Al Ghamdi and Wayan Hamed before the post came to his rescue as Mohammed Waheeb unluckily saw his effort crash against the frame of the goal.

Having kept Saudi Arabia at bay and beginning to see more of the ball, Thailand were hit just as the half headed into added time with Yahya setting up Al Ghamdi who beat Sokponwit at his near post.
There was more woe for Thailand before the break with Yahya pulling the ball back for his strike partner Radif to curl one into the top corner.

Saudi Arabia increased their lead four minutes into the second half through Radif after a VAR review judged that Thailand's Chitsanuphong Choti had touched the ball before the Al Hilal SFC forward slotted home.

Radif, who was in the senior squad at the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qatar completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute, reacting quickest to a rebound after Waheeb's initial shot had been blocked to leave Thailand well and truly beaten. (QNA)