Doha - A spirited Thailand held North Korea to a 2-2 draw in their final Group B game of the AFC U23 Championship on Tuesday.
Thailand defender Tristan Do, centre, in action against North Korea.
The stalemate was not enough for Thailand to advance to the quarter-finals of the tournament which offers three berths for the 2016 Olympics.
In the other Group B match, Japan beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 to maintain their perfect record.
Japan, with nine points, and North Korea (four) progress to the next round. Thailand and Saudi Arabia each finished with two points.
North Korea, who were held to a scoreless draw by the Thais in Bangkok in the qualifying stage for the Doha tournament, dominated for long periods against coach Kiatisak Senamuang's men.
The North Koreans went on the attack from the start and squandered several chances in the opening minutes.
After forcing Thailand goalkeeper Somporn Yos to make a couple of good saves, the North Koreans deservedly got their first goal after 17 minutes thanks to a Kim Yong-Il header.
North Korea kept piling the pressure on the Thais who surprisingly equalised after 30 minutes when Narubodin Weerawatnodom sent the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Shortly after the equaliser, Thailand suffered a setback when forward Nattawut Sombatyotha was injured and substituted by Tanasith Siripala.
North Korea's attacking efforts were rewarded in the final moments of the first half as Yun Il Gwang regained the lead for his team.
Thailand got off to a lively start in the second half but North Korea soon found their rhythm and were the better side again.
However, Thailand again stunned the North Koreans on the counter-attack after 78 minutes when Chanathip Songkrasin's long-range drive made it 2-2.
North Korea came close to scoring in the dying moments but failed to get a winning goal.
Election troubles
Thailand could face consequences if it does not follow Fifa's recommendations, Sports Authority of Thailand governor Sakol Wannapong said on Tuesday.
Fifa has suspended Football Association of Thailand chief Worawi Makudi and appointed a 'normalisation committee' to oversee the FAT presidential election to succeed him.
The committee, chaired by Adm Surawut Maharom, has set Feb 11 as the election date.
There will be 72 voters in the election -- 18 each from the TPL and League One (second tier), 30 from the Regional League (third tier), and six from minor competitions.
Teams in the Regional League selected their 30 voters last year, but Surawut's committee has arranged a re-election of these voters on Jan 22 prompting protests from Worawi's aides who say the move could be deemed illegal.
"To avoid further sanctions by Fifa, the SAT and the committee have been doing their best as recommended by Fifa to make the election become smooth,'' Sakol said. "Unfortunately, certain parties are trying to derail the election."