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The Socceroos had endured a disappointing campaign in the group stages prior to the game after a draw and a defeat to Oman and Iraq respectively had left their hopes of progressing in the balance.

A draw would have seen co-hosts Thailand through and despite a determined display in which they matched, and on occasions dominated, their opponents they were undone by goals from Michael Beauchamp, Harry Kewell and a Mark Viduka brace.

With the other game in Group A between Iraq and Oman finishing goalless, Australia took second place at the expense of Thailand while Iraq topped the standings.

As expected, coach Graham Arnold rang the changes and Kewell, who had started the previous two games against Oman and Iraq, was the most notable absentee from the starting 11 as he was dropped to the bench.

Mark Milligan, David Carney, John Aloisi and Beauchamp all came in while Patrick Kisnorbo and Brett Holman joined Kewell amongst the substitutes.

After disappointing attendances in previous AFC Asian Cup games at Rajamangala stadium, Thai and Australian fans alike packed the stands despite the pouring rain for the crucial game.

Australia signalled their intent after just two minutes when Viduka forced Kosin Hathairattanakool to push the ball behind for a corner when the Newcastle striker latched on to a long ball into the box before despatching a powerful low shot on goal.

Thailand came close in the 13th minute when Sutee Suksomkit's corner almost curled right into the goal but Luke Wilkshire was well-placed to head clear the danger.

Tawan Sripan warmed the hands of Mark Schwarzer soon after with a free-kick but it was Australia who made the breakthrough they needed in the 21st minute.

The Socceroos were awarded a free-kick 30 yards from goal and Wilkshire stepped up to float a perfect ball to Beauchamp who headed beyond Kosin into the right corner of the goal.

Kiatisuk Senamuang just failed to connect with a cross minutes later by Suree Sukha that, had he managed to reach it, would almost certainly have pulled Thailand level.

And as half-time approached Thailand won a free-kick in a dangerous area but Suksomkit shot wide much to the relief of the Australian faithful.

Wilkshire forced a save from Kosin soon after the restart with his low drive as the game continued at a fast pace and seconds later Teeratep Winothai's rasping effort caused Schwarzer to spill the ball before the defence cleared with Kiatisuk lurking.

Teerathep was replaced by Pipat Thonkanya just before the hour mark while Arnold brought on Kewell for Aloisi as both sides looked to find that crucial goal.

Almost immediately Pipat exploited a stretched Australia defence but his effort was too weak to trouble Schwarzer.

Tim Cahill entered the fray in the 73rd minute for Mark Bresciano but again Schwarzer was called into action as substitute Datsakorn Thonglao tried his luck from distance.

But, just as Thailand looked likely to score an equaliser, Australia grabbed a crucial second goal in the 80th minute when Cahill again had a positive impact after coming off the bench.

The Everton midfielder raced on to a long ball down the left before picking out Viduka in the box and the burly forward held off his defender to turn and rifle a shot into the back of the net for his second goal of the tournament.

The goal clearly broke Thailand's resolve and Viduka struck again three minutes later when he powered a header beyond Kosin and into the back of the net.

And things got even worse for the broken home side as Kewell latched on to a pass in the closing minutes to slide the ball into the back the net.

We have all the match action pics.
Part I is here
Part II is here
Part III is here