South Korea's Son Heung-min (front) jumps for the ball with Thailand's Suphanan Bureerat during the World Cup Asia qualifying match at Rajamangala national stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 26, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

BANGKOK - South Korea regained their shape to beat host Thailand 3-0 here on Tuesday to move a step closer to the third phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Thailand entered the match with confidence after their surprising 1-1 away draw with the South Koreans in the previous match, but their opponents left no chance as Lee Jae-sung opened the score sheet in the 19th minute.

South Korea extended their lead nine minutes into the second half when a pass by Paris Saint-Germain player Lee Kang-in led captain Son Heung-min to a goal, before substitute Park Jin-seop sealed the match.

The victory moves South Korea onto 10 points from four matches and means a draw in their meeting with host Singapore on June 6 will seal their progress from Group C.