UPDATE 1-Soccer-Oman strike early to dent Thai World Cup hopes

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By Martin Petty

BANGKOK, March 26 (Reuters) - Oman scored a first-minute goal then soaked up relentless pressure to earn a 1-0 win in a thrilling World Cup qualifier against Thailand on Wednesday.

Ismail Al Ajmi pulled away from his marker to convert a right-wing cross after 26 seconds and secure the points against a side whose constant attacking somehow failed to yield a goal.

"To win away from home is amazing," Oman's Uruguayan coach Julio Cesar Ribas told reporters.

"This has been a big boost to our chances of World Cup qualification. We knew they would attack, so we planned to defend and get them on the counter-attack."

Buoyed by a deafening near-capacity crowd in Bangkok, the Thais fought desperately and almost equalised 10 minutes after going behind when Teerasil Dangda's header hit the post and Datsakorn Thonglao's follow-up was cleared off the line.

The woodwork, a string of nervous goal line clearances and an impressive showing by Oman goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi frustrated the Thais, who have never reached the World Cup finals.

The towering Al Habsi, who is enjoying a run in the Bolton Wanderers first team, pulled off a series of fine saves from pacey strikers Teerathep Winothai and Teerasil Dangda.