Here are five insights ahead of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal between Thailand and Philippines, played over two legs on Dec. 6 and 10.
1. Thomas Dooley vs. his players
Former United States assistant coach Thomas Dooley took over the Philippines' hot seat in February. Despite a couple of good results at the start of the year, the no-nonsense approach of the former American international has not gone down well with the senior players in the Azkals team.
Dooley has some big shoes to fill after the Philippines' strong showing in the 2010 and 2012 editions saw them make it to the final four. The coach has done well to mitigate the loss of the Azkals' experienced trio of Stephan Schrock, Jason de Jong and Dennis Cagara.
With two wins and a loss in the group stages, he has managed to reconcile the negativity in the dressing room. However, if the team goes into the second leg against Thailand with a deficit then it could go downhill quickly. In such a scenario, it remains to be seen if he has the firm backing of senior players like Phil Younghusband and captain Rob Grier.
The team come into the game as the tournament's highest ranked FIFA team (128). Anything less than a finals berth could spell disaster for the man who hasn't won over the players and the fervent fans.
Against a Thai team who are in championship form, Dooley's experience as an ex-player will certainly be put to the test.
2. Don't try and second guess the Thailand XI
The Philippines have been topping the statistical charts as the team with the most completed passes (1,414) and they sit pretty at the top with nine goals. However, the 2012 semifinalists haven't exactly impressed the neutral fans with their brand of football as they rely heavily on Younghusband, Manuel Ott and Jerry Lucena in attack.
Their semifinal opponents, Thailand, are a different prospect as you cannot pinpoint a player who is dictating play. Indeed, the playmaking duties are shared between Chanathip Songkrasin and Charyl Chappuis. But the likes of Prakit Deeprom, Mongkol Thosakrai and Atit Daosawang all have the ability to step in when the star duo are being policed by the opposing defenders. This is where the Thais are notoriously tough to figure out.
In their three group matches, head coach Kiatisuk Senamuang has sent out three midfield variations and it is almost impossible to tell who will figure in his matchday XI. This makes it tough for Dooley and his backroom staff to try and work on tactical plans, not knowing what is in the deep waters ahead.
Add attacking talents like Sompong Soleb, Tanaboon Kesarat and Sarawut Masuk into the mix and Dooley will be left pulling his hair out on the eve of the game wondering which of the 22 players will represent the War Elephants. Never let it be said that a coach's job was easy.
3. One Younghusband carries the weight of a nation
Phil Younghusband had two goals to his name in the group stages and was the second highest in terms of goal attempts (15), just behind Myanmar's Kyaw Ko Ko who had 21.
Not only is he the Philippines' best hope to score against Thailand, he is also their top dog when it comes to delivering on the big stage. The man loves the Suzuki Cup and every two years, he struts out onto the pitch with that same determination to lift the trophy.
Laos and Indonesia tried in vain to restrain his talent but he swatted them away like flies and showed that he can rise to the occasion. Outside of his goals, Younghusband's biggest asset on the pitch is his ability to bring his teammates into play. With three assists, he is as complete a forward as you can find in this part of the world.
The 42 international goals he has in 68 appearances is a very tantalising statistic. If the English-born 27-year-old can carry his nation to a spot in the finals he will undoubtedly be crowned the most successful player in the history of Philippines football.
4. Kirati vs. Adisak
PTT Rayong's Kirati Keawsombat or Buriram United's Adisak Kraisorn? The Thai media and fans are still split on which of these two strikers should lead the line as their country go in search of the elusive fourth ASEAN title.
Coach Kiatisuk seems to have settled for Kirati to be his No. 1 targetman and the burly striker started in all three Group B matches. But he has failed to find the back of the net thus far.
This statistic has been further compounded by Adisak's two-goal substitute appearance in the last gasp 3-2 win over Malaysia where he came on for Kirati in the 42nd minute and went on to score with almost his first touch before netting the winner in the dying minutes of the game.
There has been a buzz in the past few days with everyone from pundits to fans trying to second guess whether Kiatisuk will finally relent and start the more mobile Adisak in the first leg against Philippines, especially with the Azkals' defence showing weakness against forwards who like to go down the channels from a deeper position.
Both strikers have six international goals to their name but Kirati took 25 matches to achieve that feat while Adisak managed it in just five games. However, we all know that the game of football is not just based on statistics and it will still be down to Kiatisuk to make that final call on which striker can best fit into his system where his attacking midfielders contribute more goals than the lone striker at the top of the formation.
With 70 goals in 121 appearances for his beloved country, no one should argue with Kiatisuk on this one!
5. Thailand want to equal Singapore record
Thailand are not just out to win the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup. They want revenge. They want to take away Singapore's sole record of having won the competition four times.
The two Southeast Asian kingpins have been sharing the spoils since the inaugural AFF Championship back in 1996. They both dominated the first six tournaments with Thailand claiming three (1996, 2000, 2002) and the Lions matching them stride for stride with three as well (1998, 2004, 2007.)
As the Thais went into a phase of rebuilding, Singapore fumbled in the next two editions to allow Vietnam (2008) and Malaysia (2010) to break the stranglehold, then Radojko Avramovic led Singapore to create history two years ago by winning it for a record fourth time.
Avramovic has since left the Lions to take the reins at Myanmar and the Thais are baying for blood. The football-crazy nation wants to bring the cup back to Bangkok to reinforce their foothold as the region's top team. Kiatisuk was in all three title winning squads as a player so he knows the importance of this tournament and will be gunning to be the only person who has won it as a player and coach.
So no, it is not just about winning this tournament. It is a nation's pride at stake and one man's mission to write himself into ASEAN football folklore if he hasn't done so already. The Thais have history on their side while the Azkals are savagely chomping to win their first regional title. Something has to give come Saturday.