KUALA LUMPUR – Defending champions Thailand marched into the semi-finals after beating Cambodia 3-1 in their last Group A match of the 2022 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup last night.
With the win, Thailand also emerged as Group A champions based on the most number of goals scored after tying with Indonesia with 10 points each.
Neither team was able to score for most of the first half until Cambodian Yeu Muslim fouled Sasalak Haiprakhon and Thailand was awarded a penalty, which prolific scorer Teerasil Dangda duly converted during injury time.
After the break, Thailand extended their lead in the 50th minute thanks to a goal by substitute Sumanya Purisai, only to see Cambodia narrowing the gap courtesy of Sieng Chanthea in the 68th minute before Dangda scored his second goal of the match and secured the 3-1 win for his team near the end of the game.
Indonesia was also victorious last night, etching out a 2-1 win over the Philippines and confirming their berth in the semi-finals as Group A runners-up.
Indonesia’s goals came in the first half of the match at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, the first in the 21st minute by striker Dendy Sulistyawan and the second by midfielder Marselino Ferdinan two minutes before the break.
Host Philippines managed to score a consolation goal in the 83rd minute, with substitute Sebastian Rasmussen heading in a beautiful cross by Stephan Schrock.
The first leg of the semi-finals will take place this weekend, with Thailand meeting the Group B runners-up while the Group B champions will take on Indonesia.
The race is still wide open for Group B, with Vietnam at the top with seven points, followed by Singapore (also seven points) and Malaysia with six points. – Bernama, January 3, 2023
