Defending champions Thailand are wary of the daunting atmosphere at Kuala Lumpur's Bukit Jalil National Stadium where the War Elephants will play Malaysia in the first leg of their AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup semi-final on Saturday.
The second leg will be at Bangkok's Thammasat Stadium on Jan 10.
Vietnam face Indonesia in the other semi-final of the biennial event.
Malaysia finished second in Group B, behind Vietnam, after defeating Singapore 4-1 at Bukit Jalil on Tuesday.
"It will be a difficult game," Thailand manager Nualphan Lamsam said yesterday.
"There is always a lot of pressure when we play Malaysia at their home ground at Bukit Jalil in front of 90,000 fans. Thailand have never beaten Malaysia at this stadium so we must be ready for this game physically and mentally.
"As the away goals rule is in use, we have to try to score at Bukit Jalil.
"This could be crucial when we play them in the second leg at Thammasat Stadium."
She added: "This will be a challenging test for Thailand but our goal is still the same -- to defend the title. So we must get through this tie.
"I can assure you that we will fight and do our best in Malaysia."
Thailand were winners of Group A after wins over Brunei and Cambodia and a draw with Indonesia.
Thailand coach Mano Polking said he wanted his men to finish on top of Group A in order to play the semi-final second leg at home.
Honda to leave Cambodia
Former Japan star Keisuke Honda will step down as general manager of the Cambodian national team, the Football Federation of Cambodia announced yesterday.
Honda began serving as Cambodia's de facto coach while still playing professionally, taking up the role in August 2018 after appearing in his third straight World Cup for Japan.
He steered Cambodia's bid to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, helping them advance to the second round of Asian qualifying.
In a Twitter post, the 36-year-old Honda said his final assignment would be the Southeast Asian Games in May, where men's football will be contested by U22 sides.
"Thank you. May's SEA Games will be the culmination," he wrote.