BANGKOK: Thailand are the hot favourites. Malaysia barely squeaked into the last four.
The hosts will also enjoy a rousing home advantage at the Rajamangala Stadium, where thousands are expected to pack the stands as the two sides clash in the SEA Games football semi-final match tomorrow.
Yet, Malaysia Under-23 defender Aysar Hadi Sapri remains unfazed over the daunting task.
“Thailand are the home side, so I’m sure the stadium will be full. But we are focused on our goal,” said the 22-year-old.
“We just have to play our game, stay composed and focused. All 11 players on the pitch have to work hard.
“We are happy to have reached the semi-finals.”
Coach Nafuzi Zain echoed Aysar’s sentiments, admitting that the qualification process tested the team’s patience and nerves.
“It wasn’t easy waiting for the outcome of the Indonesia-Myanmar match (Indonesia won 3-1), but I guess we were lucky to make it to the last four,” said Nafuzi.
Malaysia finished level with Indonesia on goal difference but edged them out by scoring four goals compared to Indonesia’s three and made it as the best runners-up side.
Nafuzi is not looking at the past, though.
“Thailand are a strong side. We’ve seen them in the last two tournaments - the AFF Under-23 Championships and the qualifiers,” he said.
“If we want to surprise them, we have to play as a unit. We cannot show too much respect like we did against Vietnam. We must go all out from the start.”
Malaysia will be without striker Abdul Rahman Daud, who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards, but Haqimi Azim Rosli will return.
Striker Fergus Tierney, however, will miss the match as he will be playing for Sabah in the FA Cup final today.
The other semi-final will be between Vietnam and the Philippines.
