Thailand U-22 have completed their SEA Games group stage mission with an impressive 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the final Group B showdown at Selayang Stadium.
Striking for a win to secure a semi-final slot, Thailand applied pressure at the start but Vietnam were well up in countering many attacks.
Just before the interval, Worrawoot Srimaka’s side earned an indirect free kick as Vietnamese goalkeeper Phi Minh Long picked up the ball with his hands following a pass from one of his team-mates. Phitiwat Sukjitthammakul successfully converted the resulting penalty to make it 1-0 for Thailand.
The War Elephant saw more possession right in the onset of the second half and doubled their lead in the 52nd minute by the Picha U-Tra goal.
Vietnam were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute, but their top scorer Nguyen Cong Phuong blasted it over the bar.
With their morale surging, Thailand scored added a third through captain Chenrop Samphaodi three minutes later.
The win has placed Thailand at the top of the Group B standings and helped them qualified for the group stage along with Indonesia, who gained a 2-0 win over Cambodia at the same time at Shah Alam Stadium.