THAILAND IN LAST FOUR

Alef Pohji gave Thailand the lead in the 24th minute before Sakarin Khunchan added the second goal in the 35th minute for the Thais to take a 2-0 lead at the break.

Malaysia pulled a goal back at the hour mark through Mohd Nazrin Baharuddin but proved to be futile as Thailand added two further goals off Anawin Jujeen in the 69th minute and Supachai Phupha three minutes later for the comprehensive victory.

“I think we are more experienced than the players from Malaysia because they brought Under-18 players who are preparing for the U19 qualifiers at the end of the year,” said Kawin Kachengecha (pic), the head coach of Thailand.

“We have more experience because our players are much older than Malaysia. If we play in the final against Myanmar, I think we must work hard as Myanmar is a strong team with good techniques and good tactics.”

Malaysian head coach K. Rajagobal responded: “I expect the Thai team to be strong and as I have told you before, this is the team that played at the Youth Championship in India where most of the players are unchanged.”

“The first goal was an easy one from Thailand when our keeper stumbled while the second goal was a result of a defensive error. As I have said it before, we are here to gain experience and exposure and I am confident that the players are learning from these matches.

“Against Singapore, we will not lose hope as anything can happen.”

IN THE MEANTIME, in the other match of the group Vietnam was held to a scoreless draw by Singapore which has left the fight for the second spot in the semi-finals still open.

GROUPING

GROUP A: Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam

GROUP B: Brunei, Philippines, Myanmar and Cambodia

HASSANAL BOLKIAH TROPHY
FIXTURES and RESULTS

March 3: MYANMAR 9 PHILIPPINES 1/BRUNEI 2 CAMBODIA 2

March 4: SINGAPORE 0 THAILAND 2/MALAYSIA 1 VIETNAM 1

March 5: PHILIPPINES 2 BRUNEI 3/CAMBODIA 0 MYANMAR 7

March 6: MALAYSIA 1 THAILAND 4/VIETNAM 0 SINGAPORE 0

March 7: Myanmar vs Brunei/Philippines v Cambodia

March 8: Singapore vs Malaysia/ Thailand vs Vietnam

March 10: Winner A vs Runners-up B/ Winner B vs Runners-up A

March 12: FINAL