Group B: Indonesia join Vietnam in semis, Thailand out

Indonesia defeated Laos to take second spot in the group on 12 points, one behind Vietnam but, crucially, two more than Thailand.

Vietnam will play Cambodia in the semi-finals while Indonesia will meet Group A winners Myanmar on Saturday.

It all started so well for 16-time champions Thailand as they took the lead in the fifth minute – albeit fortunately – as Vietnam goalkeeper Nguyen Van Toan’s attempted clearance hit Supachai Jaided with the rebound seeing the ball settle into the net.

Van Toan committed another error six minutes later for Thailand to double their lead as the custodian surged out to make a clearance, only for Suphanat Mueanta to beat him to the ball and send it home.

Thailand, having had to play catch-up since losing to Indonesia in their opener, looked to be on course for the semi-finals but Vietnam were not about to give up and Nguyen Tien Linh brought them back into the game with a header off a cross in the 15th minute.

That set the stage for a cracker and Vietnam upped the tempo of their game as Thailand, with Indonesia leading Laos 3-0 at half-time, under pressure to defend their lead.

The defending champions, however, finally cracked in the 70th minute when Vietnam were awarded a penalty after Tien Linh was brought down.

Thai keeper Korraphat Nareechan saved Huynh Tan Sinh’s spot-kick, and Ha Duc Chinh ballooned the rebound over the crossbar.

Thailand’s joy was, however, short lived as Korraphat was judged to have stepped off his line with the penalty ordered to retaken. Tien Linh stepped up, sent Korraphat the wrong way and Vietnam were level.

That was to be it for Thailand, with Indonesia advancing thanks to goals from Saddil Ramdani (5th), Osvaldo Haay (47th, 90+5) and Bagas Adi Nugroho (&3rd, pen) seeing them cruise past Laos.

In the group’s other match on Thursday, Singapore ended their campaign with a 7-0 win over Brunei Darussalam.