So Thailand's hopes of advancing are still alive after beating Bahrain, with Chanathip Song-krasin a big reason for that. The shortest player at the Asian Cup stood tall in a must-win game for the War Elephants and will try to help them seal a spot in the knockouts when they face the UAE on Monday. Damion Jones has the story.

After the final whistle sounded at Al-Maktoum Stadium on Thursday, Chanathip Songkrasin took a well-deserved moment to kiss the grass, as his 58th minute goal secured a 1-0 win for Thailand over Bahrain, in Group A of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

CHANATHIP SONGKRASIN THAILAND MIDFIELDER "This game is quite meaningful for Thailand. After winning a game under such tough conditions, we should say thank you for all the support from our fans, which helped us hang on for this victory."

Standing just 1.58 meters tall, or 5-foot-2, Chanathip is the shortest of the 552 players at the continental competition by two centimeters. But with the War Elephants backs against the wall, he left everything on the pitch against the Red Wolves in Dubai, putting the Thais ahead to stay early in the second half, much to his squad's relief.

CHANATHIP SONGKRASINLONE GOAL SCORER AGAINST BAHRAIN "This win is due to hard work from all of my teammates, as everybody contributed, and not because of my efforts alone."

The War Elephants are now third in their pool, and back in line for a potential round of 16 showdown with China, whose fans surely recall Chanathip netting his side's fourth goal during an infamous 5-1 thrashing in Hefei in July 2013. But before thinking too far ahead, Thailand will turn their full attention to Monday's match in Al Ain, against tournament hosts the United Arab Emirates. DJ, CGTN.