Thailand cruised past the Philippines 3-0 at Rajamangala National Stadium on Wednesday night to take them to the final of the AFF Suzuki Cup.
Chanathip Songkrasin (left) reacts after scoring the first goal for Thailand against the visiting Philippines at Rajamangala National Stadium on Wednesday. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Chanathip Songkrasin put the hosts in front with a calmly taken shot minutes after the match kicked off. Thailand then missed several chances in the first half to add to their score against the visitors.
Kroekrit Thaweekarn stretched the lead to 2-0 by putting the ball into the net soon after the second half began and scored another goal to seal the victory for the War Elephants.
Fans pack Rajamangala National Stadium on Wednesday to cheer the Thai team. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
The Thai team kept the Philippines at bay in the return leg and Thailand won the semi-final 3-0 on aggregate.
The two teams played to a goalless draw in the first leg in Manila last Saturday.
Thailand will face the winner of the Malaysia-Vietnam match in the other semifinal to be played in Hanoi on Friday. Vietnam upset the host Malaysia 2-1 in the first leg in Kuala Lumpur.
Wednesday's win put Thailand back into the final again after losing to Singapore 3-2 on aggregate two years ago.
Thailand hopes to win the regional tournament for the first time since 2002, when Thailand beat Indonesia on penalties.