Football
ESPN staff 9y

Thailand beat Malaysia 3-2 to enter AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals

Three time champions Thailand became the first team from Group B of the AFF Suzuki Cup to make it through to the semifinals after a 3-2 victory over Malaysia in Singapore on Wednesday night.

The second win in as many matches keeps Kiatisuk Senumuang's team at the top of the pool. They defeated co-hosts Singapore 2-1 in their opening match on Sunday.

As for Malaysia, they will need to beat Singapore in a winner-takes-all final group game on Saturday to advance along with the Thais to the knockout stages.

The match was delayed by two and a half hours because of a thunderstorm that drenched the synthetic pitch at Jalan Besar Stadium.

As predicted, Malaysia gave a start to veteran forward Safee Sali, leaving Indra Putra Mahayuddin on the bench.

Harimau Malaya began brightly and within the first two minutes had an attacking free-kick on the edge of the box. But Amri Yahyah's effort was blocked by the wall.

A period of Thai possession and pressure ensued which resulted in a couple of quick corners. And after 17 minutes defender Naruebodin Weerawattanodom crossed to Krirkrit Thaweekarn in a dangerous position but the midfielder's header went wide.

The breakthrough for Malaysia came in the 28th minute when Safiq Rahim's pass found Amri Yahyah whose long range shot beat Thai goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan to give Dollah Salleh's side an unexpected lead.

The Thais were quick to respond, dominating possession and laying siege to the Malaysian goal. Striker Kirati Keawsombut unleashed a powerful shot that narrowly went wide of the target.

Kiatisuk Senamuang made a tactical substitution just before half-time which paid immediate dividends. BEC Tero Sasana striker Kraisorn Adisak came on for Kirati Keawsombut in the 41st minute. Kraisorn levelled the scores just two minutes later with the assist coming from Charyl Chappuis.

Just before the break, Malaysia almost regained the lead in freakish fashion when Safee Sali's speculative shot from within his own half beat goalkeeper Kawin and hit the bar.

After the break, the Malaysians absorbed more Thai pressure before a magical run by Safiq Rahim threatened to turn the game on its head. In the 61st minute, the former national captain dribbled into the box, ghosting past two defenders, before his right-foot shot gave Malaysia a 2-1 lead.

After Chanathip Songkrasin hit the post with his long range shot in the 71st minute, Thailand were back on level terms less than 60 seconds later. Malaysia were punished for their failure to clear their lines as Charyl Chappuis blasted the shot past Khairul Che Mat to make it 2-2.

And then Kraisorn Adisak broke Malaysian hearts with a 90th minute strike -- his second of the game -- as he burst into the box, taking advantage of some lax defending.

Thailand will play Myanmar in their final group game on Saturday as Malaysia duel with Singapore in a must-win encounter.

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