Thailand in Suzuki final

Thailand dominated a strong Philippines side before a capacity crowd at Rajamangala last night and could have won by more than the 3-0 score. Next up is either Vietnam or Malaysia in the Suzuki Cup final.

Please join us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning

Thailand's 'Messi J'. Chanathip Songkrasin reacts after scoring the first goal of the match. Photos by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill.

Thailand reach Suzuki decider

Chanathip, Kroekrit deny Philippines

Tor Chittinand

Thailand reached the AFF Suzuki Cup final after beating the Philippines 3-0 in the semi-final second leg last night for a 3-0 aggregate win.

Kroekrit Thaweekarn was on target twice after 57 and 87 minutes after Chanathip ‘Messi J’ Songkrasin opened the scoring in the sixth minute at a packed Rajamangala National Stadium.

Kroekrit Taweekarn scored twice for Thailand, the second on a smart cutback to the middle which wrongfooted both the defender and the goalkeeper.

Coach Kiatisak Senamuang’s men will meet Vietnam or Malaysia in the twolegged final.

The War Elephants will be at home on Dec 17 and away on Dec 20 as they are chasing a record-equalling fourth title at the Asean championship.

Vietnam, who won 2-1 in Kuala Lumpur in the first leg, host Malaysia today for a place in the final.

Thailand have won the Asean title three times, with Kiatisak a member of those three teams.

The Thais last lifted the trophy in 2002 and lost to Singapore in the 2012 final as the Lions claimed a record fourth crown.

“Our mission is not yet complete as we will have to play in the final,” Kiatisak said after last night’s match.

“Our players knew what to do to win today. We do not care whether we face Vietnam or Malaysia in the final. We are ready to face anyone. Our target is to bring the trophy back to the country.”

The Philippines coach Thomas Dooley said: “Thailand deserved to win the match. Our defenders made some mistakes in this match and after the first goal we tried to improve but we could not do it.”

In the first leg in Manila on Saturday which ended scoreless, the Philippines played well and were dominant in the final 20 minutes after Thailand striker Adisak Kraisorn was sent off.

Fancy footwork kept Philippines' defenders off balance all night.

But it was a different story at Rajamangala last night as the Thais dominated for long periods and could have won by a bigger margin.

Kiatisak was without his regular strikers Kirati Kaewsombut, who is injured, and Adisak, who was suspended.

He used midfielder Chanathip as a lone striker against the Philippines and the move paid off after just six minutes when he gave Thailand the lead with a close-range strike.

Kroekrit beat an offside trap to make it 2-0 after 57 minutes and completed the rout three minutes from time.

The Philippines’ Martin Stuble was dismissed after 82 minutes after receiving his second yellow card.

It was a full house at Rajamangala National Stadium and the Thai team clearly appreciated the support.

In Hanoi, Vietnamese authorities have promised to beef up security and protect visiting Malaysian fans in today’s semi-final.

Officials said they would deploy thousands of police and separate rival supporters to avoid a repeat of the violent clashes that marred Sunday’s first leg in Malaysia.

The move to increase security followed ugly scenes in the first leg, won 2-1 by Vietnam, with five people arrested after fighting broke out in the stands.

Malaysian Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin issued an apology to Vietnam’s supporters and spoke with Vietnam’s ambassador to Malaysia.

สามารถฝึกอ่านออกเสียงและดูคำแปลได้ที่ : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/448984/thailand-in-suzuki-final