Teerasil double drives Thailand to AFF Cup semi win in Myanmar

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:51 am

Thailand's Teerasil Dangda and Tristan Do
Thailand's Teerasil Dangda and Tristan Do
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images

Thailand's Teerasil Dangda and Tristan Do
Thailand's Teerasil Dangda and Tristan Do
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images

Teerasil Dangda's double put Thailand in complete control of their AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal as the War Elephants eased to a 2-0 victory over Myanmar in the first leg in Yangon.

The elegant striker netted one in each half to take his tally for the tournament to five as the reigning champions outclassed their hosts with a ruthless display.

Myanmar had their moments, but it was a comfortable victory for Kiatisuk Senamuang's side. They will be expected to seal their place in the final when they welcome the White Angels to Bangkok on Thursday.

Thailand had the first chance after four minutes when Theerathon Bunmathan's free kick ricocheted into the path of Pokklaw Anan. But the midfielder couldn't react in time, and the ball bounced off him, going wide from close range.

The hosts had started nervously, and the Thais quickly took control of the game.

But Myanmar finally made an impact in the 10th minute after Sarach Yooyen was caught in possession deep in his own half. Mg Mg Lwin fed the ball out to Kaung Sat Naing, but his touch took the ball too far wide and his weak shot trickled into the arms of Kawin Thamsatchanan.

The visitors hit back with a fine move. Sarach's through ball was neatly dummied by Pokklaw, allowing space for Kroekrit Thaweekarn on the edge of the box. The Chonburi winger looked up and struck a rising drive from 20 yards, but it was a comfortable save for Kyaw Zin Phyo.

Chanathip Songkrasin tested the keeper from a similar distance a couple of minutes later, but it was another straightforward save.

As the Thais piled on the pressure, a beautiful through ball from Chanathip found Teerasil through on goal. Surprisingly, instead of shooting, the striker tried to roll the ball into the path of Kroekrit to give him an open goal. However, he got the pass horribly wrong and pushed it out of his team-mate's reach.

Sarach was next to threaten as he drove forward unchallenged down the right. The Muang Thong United midfielder let fly with a powerful drive from 20 yards, only to see the ball drift just wide.

Thailand's Teerasil Dangda and Tristan Do
Thailand's Teerasil Dangda and Tristan Do
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images

The pressure finally told when the Thais took the lead after 23 minutes. Chanathip slipped the ball through to Teerasil again, and this time the former La Liga forward was at his predatory best. He picked up the ball 20 yards from goal, drove into the box, and shot into the roof of the net from 14 yards.

It almost got worse for the hosts just a minute later when Kroekrit's deft chip beat Kyaw Zin Phyo before coming back off the crossbar.

The game began to resemble a training exercise for Thailand as they played a comfortable possession game that contained Myanmar, while probing patiently for attacking openings.

The hosts almost stunned the Thais in the 36th minute when Mg Mg Lwin tapped into an empty net from Aung Thu's low, driven cross from the right. But the striker was marginally offside, to the great disappointment of the boisterous home support.

Myanmar were lucky to end the half with 11 men as David Htan was fortunate to escape with a yellow card for a shocking over-the-top challenge on Tanaboon Kesarat.

Thailand started the second period on the front foot, looking like they wanted to kill the game off. A few tame efforts were easily held by Kyaw Zin Phyo before Myanmar had the first clear chance of the half.

In the 52nd minute, a deep cross from the left reached Aung Thu in a good position. But the striker's shot was weak, and Kawin easily held onto the ball.

And the home side were made to pay two minutes later when Teerasil added his second of the night after waltzing through the Myanmar defence. The Thai striker picked up the ball 35 yards out, turned his man, skipped past another, and side-footed the ball into the corner of the net from 16 yards.

The goal deflated the hosts and the game settled into the pattern of possession football from the Thais, with Myanmar chasing the game.

Kyaw Zin Phyo was called into action again when he had to push Pokklaw's long-range effort wide just after the hour mark. And Kawin was then tested at the other end when he had to turn Mg Mg Lwin's 18-yard shot behind for a corner.

The Thai keeper then had to be at his best when Htan released Aung Thu down the right. Tanaboon's attention forced the striker wide, and Kawin narrowed the angle enough to enable him to block the shot.

Thailand responded by bringing on Sirroch Chatthong for Kroekrit, and the big striker made an immediate impact. He collected the ball, turned inside, and unleashed a powerful 20-yard strike that Kyaw Zin Phyo got down well to save.

As Thailand regained cruise control, Kiatisuk took the opportunity to make some more changes. Charyl Chappuis replaced Pokklaw, while Sarawut Masuk -- the scorer of two goals in the group stage -- came on for Chanathip.

The visitors held on comfortably to ensure that the will go into Thursday's second leg in a very strong position as they seek to go on to the final, and retain their title. It would give them a record fifth AFF crown.