MANILA – Thailand reached the semi-finals of the Suzuki Cup on Tuesday thanks to a last-gasp goal from super-sub Sarawut Masuk.
The winger flicked a header into the Singapore goal in the 89th minute, latching on to a perfectly weighted cross from Theerathon Bunmathan to break the hearts of their opponents who looked to have done enough for a draw.
The Thais dominated possession in a game of few chances. Singapore right back Juma’at Jantan and striker Khairul Amri both wasted good chances to score against the run of play.
They now have six points from two games and are assured of a semi-final slot in the Southeast Asian tournament.
The Thais, the last Southeast Asian squad still in the running for the 2018 World Cup, have contested the last two Suzuki Cup finals. They are bidding to become the first country to win the biennial competition five times.
Indonesia and the Philippines, both badly in need of a win to reach the semi-finals, were deadlocked at 1-1 in the first half of the other match in Manila on Tuesday.
