BANGKOK, July 12 (Reuters) - Striker Pipat Tongkanya scored twice in eight minutes to lift hosts Thailand to a convincing 2-0 win over Oman and top spot in Asian Cup Group A on Thursday.

Pipat combined with fellow substitute Teerathep Winothai in

the 70th and 78th minutes to give the Thais a well-earned

victory.

The goals came after 69 minutes of relentless Thai

attacking, with the Omanis, who drew 1-1 with tournament

favourites Australia on Sunday, rarely looking dangerous.

The victory was the Kingdom's first in the Asian Cup since

they made their debut in 1972.

'This match has helped us regain our confidence, we have

never won a game in the Asian Cup, I'm very proud to be the

first coach to do that,' coach Charnwit Polcheewin told a news

conference.

'Pipat and Teerathep both did a good job, but whether or

not they will start in the next game depends on the tactics,

and I won't give those away.'

Thailand had the best of the early action and came close on

19 minutes when Sutee Suksomkit's pass flashed across the face

of the goal and fell short of the onrushing Kiatisak

Senamuang.

They threatened again six minutes later when playmaker

Datsakorn Thonglao's lofted pass found Therdsak Chaiman, who

headed wide.

Therdsak found himself in space again close to halftime,

latching on to Nattaporn Phanrit's pass down the right and

blasting the ball into the side netting from a tight angle.

Oman collected four bookings and few chances but could have

gone ahead near the interval when Fawzi Bashir rounded

Nattaporn before shooting well wide.

The Thais wasted a golden opportunity to score right after

halftime when Kiatisak squared the ball to the unmarked Tawan

Sripan, who fired wide with men in space.

The crowd had their hearts in the mouths when Ahmad Halid's

speculative free kick from near the halfway line went through

to keeper Kosin Haithairrattanakool, who tipped the ball on to

the crossbar.

Pipat and Teerathep made an instant impact after being sent

on.

Within a minute Teerathep delivered a low cross from the

right to the unmarked Pipat, who fired home from five metres.

Eight minutes later, the diminutive Teerathep headed

Tawan's pass on to Pipat, who chested down and blasted the ball

into the top corner.

Oman coach Gabriel Calderon was unhappy with the yellow

cards his team picked up.

'The referee was hostile to Oman,' the Argentine said. 'The

referee made mistakes, but maybe the Omanis just didn't play

very good.'

The win put Thailand on four points, three ahead of Iraq

and Australia who meet on Friday in the next Group A game.