Football: Thailand secures spot in AFF Suzuki Cup final after defeating Myanmar

Thailand thrashed Myanmar 4-0 in Bangkok late on Thursday in a ruthless display that ensured an AFF Suzuki Cup football final date with Indonesia.

Goals from Sarawut Masuk (33th minute), Theerathon Bunmathan (65th), Siroch Chatthong (76th) and Chanathip Songkrasin (83th) — known in Thailand as “Messi J” — destroyed the visitors’ slim chances of overturning a two-goal first-leg deficit.

The emphatic win, 6-0 on aggregate, installs the War Elephants as favorites against Indonesia when the two sides meet next week.

Thailand dispatched their cup final opponents 4-2 in the group stage.

The Thais have labored in the final group round for qualification for the 2018 World Cup, but have sprung to life playing against their much weaker Southeast Asian rivals.

Last night, a rout appeared on the cards after the hosts took the lead through Sarawut, who met a delicious cross from the left with a diving header to make it 3-0 on aggregate.

That left Myanmar with a mountain to climb and inevitable gaps appeared as they stoically hunted a goal.

The pick of the goals came with around 15 minutes to play from the War Elephants’ rangy striker Siroch, who celebrated his birthday by hammering the ball home from an acute angle after latching onto a neat long pass.

His side will play Indonesia in the two-legged final on Dec. 14 and 17 after the Garudas edged pass Vietnam 4-3 on aggregate on Wednesday.

Thailand, who has won all of its Suzuki Cup games so far, will go into the final brimming with confidence and with the group-game win against Indonesia under its belt, a result led by a hat-trick by star striker Teerasil Dangda.