YANGON: Myanmar will face Thailand in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup after advancing from Group B with a 1-0 win over Malaysia on Saturday evening.
Needing only a draw to make the semis, the home side got a late strike from David Htan to secure all three points to delight the partisan capacity crowd in Thuwanna stadium.
The win left Myanmar second in Group B behind Vietnam, who beat Cambodia 2-1 in Nay Pyi Daw to go through with a perfect record. Vietnam will play Indonesia in the final four.
The semi-finals will be played on a home-and-away basis from Dec 3-8. The final, also played over two legs, will be staged on Dec 14 and 17.
Coach Kiatisak Senamuang led the War Elephants to glory two years ago when they beat Malaysia in the final to lift the regional football trophy for a record-equalling fourth time. Singapore are the other team to have won the tournament four times.
The biennial tournament, launched in 1996, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.