Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Thailand saved their best for last and Indonesia made no mistakes as both advanced into the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games men's football semi-finals from Group B on Thursday.
Defending champions Thailand, seeking a 16th SEA Games gold medal, put Vietnam to the sword as Worrawoot Srimaka's men walked tall after a 3-0 win at the Selayang Stadium while Indonesia defeated Cambodia 2-0 at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Indonesia's reward after an impressive group stage is a meeting with Group A winners Malaysia in Saturday's semi-finals while Thailand, who overcame a slow start to take their customary place in the knock-out stage, will face Myanmar in what are sure to be cracking matches.
With all three Group B matches kicking off simultaneously - the Philippines beat Timor-Leste 2-1in their tie - Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia knew a win would assure them of a place in the semi-finals.
Thailand were the ones under pressure due to their indifferent form while Vietnam, so impressive in the earlier matches, must have fancied their chances of advancing into the semi-finals at the champions' expense.
It was not be though as Thailand struck deep in first-half stoppage time through S. Phitiwat, which meant the pressure on Vietnam would be immense in the second-half.
It got worse three minutes into the restart as Phicha Au-Tra hit Thailand's second and Vietnam were reeling.
A missed penalty shortly after was punished by Chenrop Samphaodi scoring Thailand's third, which ensured not only top spot in Group B but a semi-final showdown with Myanmar.
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/indonesia_rejoice_sea-games-mens-football_masoc_jpg.html
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/philippines_v_thailand_sea-games-mens-football_masoc_jpg.html
