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BANGKOK -- There were times when the World Cup qualifier between Thailand and Australia felt like a game of football, and there were other times when it seemed so much more.A day after the end of the official mourning period following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej -- during which public entertainment and celebrations were banned -- the game was a chance for the Thai public to cheer, chant and celebrate after a month of strictly observed mourning.Most of the fans at Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday were still dressed in black, and the Thai royal anthem was played and enthusiastically sung by the crowd. There was a minutes silence prior to kick-off, and prior to the game, a group of supporters combined outside the ground to form the Thai numeral for nine, marking the late kings position in the Chakri dynasty.Those formalities completed, the informal and spontaneous outpouring of patriotic support took over, and rarely has the Bangkok stadium heard celebrations as loud as those which greeted Thailands two goals.They were not enough to secure victory, but were sufficient for a 2-2 draw against a team on track for a fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.It was the first point for Thailand in the final stage of Asian qualifying, following four successive losses, and while a place at Russia 2018 remains a long shot, the avoidance of defeat on such an occasion was important.I am disappointed with a draw, Thailand coach Kiatisuk Senamuang said. The players fought 100 percent for this game, but Australia is a very good team.This point we want to give to His Majesty for giving us the spiritual support for this game. I am very happy this point can bring some happiness and a smile to all Thai fans.It was a game decided chiefly from the penalty spot. Australia captain Mile Jedinak slotted two spot kicks -- the first in the ninth minute for a handball and the second in the 65th on a contentious referees call for holding as Australia took a free kick in an attacking position.Thailands opening goal, in the 20th minute, resulted from panicked Australian defending that set up Teerasil Dangda for a tap-in for close range. Thailand went ahead in the 56th with a penalty following a collision between Mathew Leckie and Thai captain Theerathon Bunmathan.Teerasil sent the keeper the wrong way for a short-lived lead that had Thai fans briefly anticipating a memorable victory.Australia coach Ange Postecoglou was frustrated by what he considered two points dropped, but acknowledged Thailand was an inspired team.It was a big occasion for them and they rose to that occasion, Postecoglou said. With the special occasion, we knew they would play with a lot of passion and heart, and they certainly did that. We knew they could be a danger.With the top two teams in both Asian qualifying groups going through to Russia, Australia is in third, a point behind co-leaders Saudi Arabia and Japan. With three of the remaining five games at home -- and one on neutral territory against Iraq -- Postecoglou was confident of Australias chances.Weve had three tough road trips and we havent lost a game, Postecoglou said. 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I was hoping for the best and I was blessed to get an opportunity to come back.The previous time Gordon practiced for Cleveland was Dec. 26, 2014. Less than two months later, he was suspended indefinitely for multiple violations of the NFLs drug policies.Even upon reinstatement into the league by Commissioner Roger Goodell on July 25, Gordon wasnt sure if the new Browns regime would want him to be part of the organization.He was still suspended for the first four regular-season games of 2016 and was bringing plenty of baggage back to the Browns.As it turns out, the teams front office and new coach Hue Jackson were ready to welcome him with a clean slate.Im grateful to them. I definitely am, Gordon said. Theyre not looking at my past and Im not trying to look back toward that. Were just ready to move forward.Jackson, after watching the receiver practice, was seemingly glad to have made that decision.It was great, Jackson said. It was good to watch him move around, catch the ball and be involved with his teammates. As I said, hes done a great job and were just working our plan.While Gordon was permitted by Goodell to practice with the team during training camp, a quad injury he suffered during individual offseason workouts prevented him from taking the field for the first two weeks of training camp.Now that hes healed enough to practice, Gordon thinks he can still be the same player that finished with 1,646 yards receiving during a Pro Bowl season in 2013.Im the same guy. Im definitely the same guy. Im confident in my abilities, Gordon said. I definitely am aware of what I can do and I think I can build upon that and do even better.Starting quarterback Robert Griffin III is well aware of the abilities that Gordon mentioned.Having played withh the receiver at Baylor, Griffin has seen Gordons skills first-hand and is excited to have the chance to work with him again.ddddddddddddWe had some great games, some great times together and were looking forward to really building that here in Cleveland, Griffin said. I know hell be ready when he steps out there.Gordons status for Thursdays exhibition game against the Atlanta Falcons is in the air. With just two days of practice before the game, its unlikely the receiver will play.Jackson feels that Gordon doesnt necessarily need to play this week. Its far more important for the Browns to be patient with the pass catcher rather than rush him back into action.Were just working the process, Jackson said. This is the next step in the process for him to get out, catch balls, start getting involved and running around a little bit.When he does get the opportunity to play in his first game since Dec. 21, 2014, Gordon will appreciate it more than ever.But in the meantime, hes just happy to be able to practice again.I think every day Im back, it means a lot to me, Gordon said. This opportunity we have here is like nothing Ive felt before or seen before and I really want to be a part of it.Game notes Rookie WR Corey Coleman (hamstring) returned to practice for the first time in almost two weeks, after getting injured in a scrimmage. ... LT Joe Thomas (back), QB Austin Davis (concussion) WR Andrew Hawkins (hamstring), WR Ricardo Louis (hamstring), DL John Hughes (personal) and DB KWaun Williams (personal) were all held out of practice on Monday. ... DL Jamie Meder took part in first-team reps for the Browns, as Jackson said the former un-drafted free agent earned them for good play in the teams first exhibition game against Green Bay. ... Mondays practice was the last open to fans and according to the Browns, the team drew nearly 18,000 attendees over nearly three weeks of training camp.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL '