Myanmar beat M'sia 1-0 to enter AFF Cup semi-finals

Hosts, Myanmar have booked their berth to the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-finals after defeating Malaysia 1-0 in the last group B match at Thuwanna Stadium here tonight.

The win saw Myanmar emerge as group runners-up behind Vietnam which beat Cambodia 2-1 in another group B match at Wunna Theikdi Stadium, Naypyitaw.

Playing before 32,000 home fans, Myanmar went on the attack from the start but Malaysia almost went ahead in the sixth minute when an Ahmad Hazwan Bakri shot hit the goalpost.

Myanmar had a chance to open the score in the 12th minute when they were awarded a penalty but the feeble attempt by Aung Thu was saved by Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

The host however, got their break when David Htan managed to squeeze a shot pass Khairul Fahmi in the 88th minute.

Meanwhile in the other group B match, Vietnam's captain Le Cong Vinh opened the score in the 20th minute before an own goal by Nub Tola of Cambodia in the 49th minute put Vietnam two up, while Chreng Polroth reduced Cambodia's deficit with an attractive goal in the 64th minute.

With the win, Vietnam collected the maximum nine points from three games since group matches began on Nov 20.

Myanmar were scheduled to meet defending champions Thailand who topped group A in the semi-finals in return leg format early next month.

Thailand will visit Thuwunna Stadium for the first leg on Dec 4 before Myanmar travel to Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Dec 8.

For the other semi-final, Indonesia will host Vietnam at Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java on Dec 3, before the second leg match on Dec 7 is held at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam.

The AFF Suzuki Cup final is also held on a two-leg format on Dec 14 and 17, with the winners declared based on the aggregate score.

(Note: Vietnam and Myanmar advance to the semi-finals) --Bernama