Ali Daei's side carved out the best chances of an entertaining encounter but were forced back for long periods by a spirited Thailand, who will also feel they could have claimed the three points.

Iran almost went in front with 11 minutes gone but defender Mageed Gholamnejhad saw his spectacular 30-yard volley tipped onto the post by Thai keeper Kosin Hathairattanakool.

Two minutes later, Hossein Kaebi was left unmarked five yards out but headed Mohammadreza Khalatbari's inviting cross straight at a grateful Kosin.

Thailand stepped up a gear in the second half and Mehdi Rahmati produced a great save to deny Teerasil Dangda shortly after the re-start when the striker was put through by Suchao Nutnum only for the Iranian keeper to brilliantly turn away his low shot.

Rahmati again came to the rescue when Teerasil was played in by midfielder Surat Sukha before Iran spurned another opening on the hour mark as Khalatbari's corner found towering central defender Hadhi Aghily unmarked 12 yards out but he failed to get any power behind his volley and Kosin made a comfortable save as the game ended in a stalemate.

Singapore, therefore, leapfrogged their neighbours into second spot in the group following a 2-1 win over Jordan at the National Stadium.

Coach Raddy Avramovic made a number of changes following the 6-0 drubbing in Iran and it paid dividends as they claimed a crucial three points.

The home side went in front after 21 minutes as Shahril lifted a ball over the Jordan defence that Ridhuan Muhamad nodded into Agu Casmir's path.

The striker, drafted in at the expense of Indra Sahdan, brought the ball down with his chest before despatching a shot into the back of the net via the post.

Jordan's forays forward were sporadic at best but they unexpectedly equalised five minutes before the break when Singapore skipper Noh Rahman was penalised for holding Odai Alsaify in the area and Hatem Aqel put away the subsequent penalty.

However, Singapore sealed the points in the 64th minute when Noh Alam Shah latched onto Daniel Bennett's long ball and forged into the area before applying a deft finish.