Group B: Croatia 1-2 Thailand

Thailand next meet Cuba on Tuesday, while Croatia take on five-time champions Brazil.

Thailand had to be on high alert from the start as Croatia threatened with Niko Vukmir, Luka Peric and Franco Jelovcic all having their attempts thwarted.

The Southeast Asian side, however, stayed calm under pressure to score the opening goal in the fourth minute through Muhammad Osamanmusa who collected Sarawut Phalaphruek’s cutback from the right before drilling a low effort from just above the area.

Croatia came close to equalising a minute later when Kristian Cekol’s long range effort off a set-piece crashed against the left post before Thailand keeper Arut Senbat was called into action in the seventh minute to block Tihomir Novak.

Thailand had to endure waves of attacks from Croatia, who looked dangerous in transition with Duje Kustura almost finding a way through only to see his effort from distance sail over the bar.

Senbat continued to be the bane of Croatia’s frustrations, denying them once again three minutes from the end of the half when he rushed out to block the advancing Novak at the top of the arc.

Thailand’s high-pressure game at the start of the second half almost saw Croatia conceding again following Zoran Primic’s challenge on Osamanmusa, but the European side stayed firm to deny Worasak Srirangpirot’s effort from outside the box.

Croatia continued to soak up the pressure with Suphawut Thueanklang seeing his free-kick blocked in the 28th minute before Cekol charged down the centre only to be denied by a lunging Itticha Praphaphan.

Thailand’s persistence paid off just before the half-hour mark after Ronnachai Jungwongsuk pounced on a poor clearance to score from the top of the arc.

Croatia, however, pulled one back in the 31st minute after Antonio Sekulic showed individual brilliance to dribble into the area before firing a low drive past Senbat.

Senbat had to be at his best in the remaining minutes, denying Sekulic and several other Croatian attacks as Thailand took the points.