With the final score 1-1, both goals came in an absorbing first-half with Singapore-based striker Sutee Suksomkit sweeping home a controversial sixth-minute penalty before Iraq skipper Younis Mahmoud levelled seven minutes before the interval.

Unrelenting rain, which included a pre-match torrential downpour that led to doubts over the game and the official opening ceremony, failed to put a dampener on proceedings as both teams produced a hugely entertaining first-half with play that belied the difficult underfoot conditions.

Thailand took the lead just six minutes into an absorbing first half when Sutee Suksomkit swept home a contentious penalty, awarded after Ali Hussein Rehema was adjudged to have fouled Kiatisuk Senamuang in the box.

Iraq, which contained a sizeable contingent from the side that reached the semi-finals of the 2004 Athens Olympics, came close to equalising four minutes later when the Thais needed a heroic block from Nataporn Phanrit to deny Hawar Mulla Mohammed a clear shot at goal.

A minute later the impressive Salih Sadir drew a smart save from Kosin Hathairattanakool with a long-range shot before Jassim Mohammed Gholam headed the resulting corner wastefully wide despite being unmarked at the far post.

Iraq were firmly in the driving seat and were denied a spectacular equaliser in the 16th minute when Kosin palmed Sadir's acrobatic bicycle kick on to the woodwork.

When the Iraqis finally got the goal their pressure and play deserved it was little surprise that Sadir was involved, with the Lebanon-based midfielder whipping in a free-kick from the left for skipper Younis Mahmoud to deftly nod the ball into the top right corner in the 32nd minute.

The Thais started the second half the better of the two and as the clock reached the hour mark the home team had narrowly missed with two long-range efforts, with Therdsak Chaiman firing just over in the 56th minute and Datsakorn Thonglao drawing an uncomfortable save from Noor Sabri.

Iraq were looking as though their first half exertions had burned them out and head coach Jorvan Vieira made the first substitution of the match, replacing Sadir with Quasi Munir in the 66th minute.

Six minutes later Thai coach Chanvit Polchovin responded with a double substitution as veterans Therdsak and Kiatisuk made way for the youthful vigour of Suchao Nutnum and Teerathep Winothai.

Nutnum almost had a hand in giving the Thais the lead with six minutes remaining when his dangerous cross from the right came off Iraq left-back Bassim Abbas only to be kept out by Sabri.

The keeper again came to Iraq's rescue when he turned Teerathep's blistering angled drive out for a corner as the home side searched in vain for the goal that would give them their first ever Asian Cup win in regulation time.