Thailand one step from football gold
Thailand is just one step away from reclaiming regional football supremacy after edging Malaysia 1-0 in a tense, stop-start SEA Games semi-final at Rajamangala National Stadium on Monday night.
The match, shaped by an early red card and long spells of Thai pressure, never settled into a flowing contest, but the hosts did enough to secure their place in Wednesday’s gold‑medal showdown with Vietnam, who defeated Indonesia 2-0 in the other semi-final on Monday.
The breakthrough came almost before Malaysia had found their footing. Aiman Yusuf Nabil, booked in the sixth minute for a clumsy challenge on Iklas Sanron, committed a second foul moments later that handed Thailand a dangerous free kick. Yotsakorn Burapha, already one of the tournament’s standout performers, stepped up and curled home a superb right‑footed strike into the top corner to give Thailand an eighth‑minute lead.
Malaysia’s task became even more daunting in the 16th minute when Aiman, chasing a loose ball, tugged back Iklas and was shown a second yellow card. Reduced to 10 men for the remainder of the match, they were forced into a deep defensive block that left Thailand with the ball but little space to exploit.
Even so, Malaysia managed to threaten sporadically. Danish Hakimi forced Sorawat Phosaman into a sharp save with a header early on, while Hashim Haiqal’s free kick midway through the half required another intervention from the Thai goalkeeper. Thailand, for all their possession, struggled to turn dominance into clear chances.
Coach Thawatchai Damrong‑ongtrakul sought to inject more urgency after the interval, introducing Chaiyaphon Otton and Waris Choothong before later turning to Chawanwit Saelao.
The changes brought greater movement in the final third, and Yotsakorn remained at the heart of Thailand’s best openings. Twice he came close to doubling the lead – first denied by a block at the near post, then dragging a left‑footed effort narrowly wide after neat build‑up play from Thanakrit Chotmuangpak.
Malaysia, tiring but resolute, continued to frustrate. Thanakrit combined well with captain Seksan Ratree before forcing another save, and Chawanwit fired over after a loose clearance fell invitingly to him. Yet the decisive second goal refused to arrive, leaving Thailand to navigate a nervy final few minutes as Malaysia pushed forward in desperation.
At full time, Thawatchai was satisfied that his side had achieved their minimum target.
“We came here to reach the final, and we’ve done that,” he said. “Everyone involved – players, staff, supporters – wants the same thing: the SEA Games title. Vietnam are one of the strongest teams in the region, and we always expected to meet them. If we want to be number one again, we have to beat the best.”
With only a short break before Wednesday’s final, he stressed that recovery would be crucial. “Many of the players have heavy workloads from their clubs, so we’ve tried to manage minutes carefully. Now the priority is to get everyone fresh and ready.”
Yotsakorn, named man of the match, said he was delighted his free kick proved decisive.
“We practise them, but they don’t always go in,” he said, laughing. “Today it did. Vietnam are strong, but we’ll prepare well. I hope Thai fans fill the stadium — we want to bring the gold home.”
Thailand and Vietnam will lock horns for the most coveted crown of the Games at the same venue on Wednesday.
Source – Bangkok News
