have qualified for the AFF Suzuki Cup final for the third time in a row after a comfortable 4-0 win over in their semi-final second-leg match on Thursday.

The defending champions advanced to the final, where they will be pitted against Indonesia, on a 6-0 aggregate win.

In a second-leg match where they had to win by at least two goals to stand a chance of advancing to the final, Myanmar started off quite well, generating pressure on Thai players on the pitch.

However, it was the War Elephants who scored the opening goal of the evening in the 33rd minute when forward Sarawut Masuk headed home a pinpoint cross from Theerathon Bunmathan.

Trailing 3-0 on aggregate, Myanmar tried to mount an unlikely comeback. They almost pulled one back immediately, with captain Aung Kyaw seeing his shot tipped over by a fully-stretched Kawin Thamsatchanan.

The White Angels came close once again early in the second half, but Than Paing’s effort cannoned off the crossbar.

Theeraton put the tie to bed in the 65th minute when he gave Thailand a 4-0 lead on aggregate by successfully converting a penalty after Masuk was fouled by a reckless Aung Kyaw.

The War Elephants would finish the game with another two goals. Siroch Chatthon netted a goal from a tight angle in the 76th minute, before Chanathip Songkrasin added a fourth in the 83rd minute.

Thailand will meet Indonesia in their eighth final appearance in the tournament history, with an opportunity to win the trophy for a record fifth time.

About The Author

Erick Bui

erick

Erick Bui is the Chief Editor of Football Channel Asia. A veteran of Asian football, he has previously served as chief editor for Goal Vietnam. He is a contributor to the debut issue of Japan’s Football Critique Asia.


Source link