Doha: Thailand started off their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 campaign on the right foot thanks to a 2-0 victory over Iraq at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday. Waris Choolthong broke the deadlock 36 minutes into the Group C opener, and Teerasak Poeiphimai came off the bench to double the score line in the 65th minute. Ithsara Sritharo's men now temporarily lead the group standings awaiting for the Saudi Arabia-Tajikistan game later tonight. Iraq's Nihad Mohammed was sent off in the 71st minute, making the matters even worse for the West Asian side. The sixth edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup serves as a qualification berth for the Summer Olympic Games (Paris 2024), with the top three sides directly progressing to the prestigious event while the fourth-placed team will play an AFC-CAF playoffs. Source: Qatar News Agency