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KORAT, Thailand : Thailand's footballers have hit top form at just the right time as they seek to continue their domination of the SEA Games trophy - but a determined Myanmar stand in their way.
The seven-times defending champions thumped Singapore 3-0 on Tuesday and will go into Friday's final on a high, sure to be lifted by another passionate and partisan crowd.
But they may not have things all their own way against unfancied Myanmar, who put two goals past them in the group stages, Thailand eventually running out 3-2 winners.
Myanmar's semi-final win was a lot tighter. They squeezed through on a penalty shootout after a 0-0 stalemate against 2005 finalists Vietnam.
Beaming Thai coach Thongsuk Sampahangsit could not hide his joy after the comprehensive win over Singapore, ASEAN champions at senior level. His side were more powerful and inventive than the opposition and always looked in control.
He said after the match that the performance filled him with confidence for Friday's showpiece, but warned of complacency.
"They scored two goals against us in the group match so we will have to be careful... of the whole team, not any particular player."
But Myanmar are certainly not turning up just to make up the numbers in this under-23 final following their semi-final win.
"Our team deserves the place in the final, because they have showed strength in beating Vietnam. For the final we have the skill and fitness," wrote U Zaw Myint, sports editor of the Myanmar Times.
"Our confidence is riding high and although we are against our fierce traditional rival I believe it is our time after 14 years.
"Thailand want to win to honour their king's 80th, but they will be worrying about defeat. In the end, fortune will favour us."
Thailand topped their group with nine points out of nine. They also beat Indonesia and thrashed Cambodia 8-0.
Myanmar qualified second in the same group with four points after a 0-0 draw against Indonesia and a 6-2 thrashing of the Cambodians.
Thailand, chasing their eighth consecutive SEA Games football gold, last failed to win the tournament in 1991, when Indonesia took the title at the biennial games.
The bronze medal match between Vietnam and Singapore is also scheduled for Friday. - AFP/de
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