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Thailand thumps Indonesia sets up SEA Games final against Myanmar

            Defending champion Thailand moved into a Southeast Asian Games final against Myanmar with a thumping 5-0 win Saturday that sent Indonesia into the international football wilderness with a result that players and supporters would prefer to forget. The SEA Games tournament had already started when FIFA suspended Indonesia from international competition due to political interference in the running of the game, meaning the full effect of the ban was delayed while the under-23 squad was still in contention in Singapore.

            After an opening loss, the Indonesians rebounded to reach the knockout stage with a win over the host nation and hoped to go all the way to the title, but the 14-time champions dented those hopes with goals from Phumichantuk Rungrat and Puangjan Thitiphan giving Thailand a 2-0 lead by halftime. Phumichantuk scored again soon after the break and Weerawatnodom Narubadin's right-foot strike made it 4-0 inside an hour. Songkrasin Chanathip made it 5-0 two minutes from time.

            The atmosphere at Singapore's National Stadium flattened out quickly, unlike the earlier semifinal when captain Tun Nay Lin scored a late winner and Phyo Kyaw Zin made four crucial saves in Myanmar's 2-1 win over Vietnam. Synchronized clapping and thunderous chants of Myanmar echoed around Singapore's National Stadium, where Myanmar people were in the majority in the crowd. Myanmar has lost twice to Thailand in its only appearances in SEA Games finals in 2007 and in 1993  since its golden run ended with a fifth straight title in 1973.

            The Vietnamese created more opportunities, dominated possession and field position and were bigger and more organized but were denied by Myanmar keeper Phyo Kyaw Zin, who stopped three shots on target from forward Mac Hong Quan and tipped Nguyen Thanh Hien's powerful shot around the far post in the 78th, a minute before Tun Nay Lin produced what he later described as "an historic goal in my career" at the other end. Myanmar coach Lwin Kyi said his squad was peaking at the right end of the tournament. "No matter who play we are more confident for the final," he said. "Not only the coaching group, but all the players."

            Vietnam coach Toshiya Miura said Myanmar went into the game with a defensive plan but his team's lack of finish cost them the game. "Maybe Myanmar was lucky, but we had at least five chances," he said. Myanmar opened the scoring with a penalty from Aung Si Thu after a Vietnam midfielder Ho Ngoc Thang, lining up third from the left in a defensive wall, was booked for handball after sticking his elbow out to deflect a free kick in the 37th minute. Vietnam equalized when Vo Huy Toan tapped in from close range in the 71st after Nguyen Huy Hung's shot deflected off a Myanmar defender.

            Early Saturday night, Thailand led the medal standings with 78 gold, four ahead of host Singapore and 13 clear of third-place Vietnam. Malaysia (45), Indonesia (38), Philippines (24) and Myanmar (11) maintained their places in mid-table.