Bangkok: Akarapong Pumwisat scored twice as reigning champions Thailand came back from behind to defeat Cambodia 3-2 in their final group fixture of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 at Rajamangala Stadium on Friday.
Knowing that only a win could take them past the group stage, Cambodia made a good start as Andres Nieto pulled them ahead in the 32nd minute as they gave the seven-time winners a run for their money in the first half.
But Akarapong found a quick leveller for the Thais who put on a much-improved display in the second half as his second and a third from Chalermsak Aukkee saw them take a 3-1 lead.
Abdel Kader Coulibaly netted a very late goal for Cambodia after coming off the bench, but that was too little, too late for the visitors as they exited the tournament with a record of one win, one draw and two defeats.
With a place in the last four already guaranteed, Masatada Ishii made nine changes to the Thailand side that beat Singapore 4-2 to secure progression with only William Weidersjo and Anan Yodsangwal keeping their places in the 11.
Sieng Chanthea dropped to the bench for Cambodia who were also without the suspended Yudai Ogawa, but the visitors had the first chance of the contest as Saret Krya fired across the goal in the 13th minute.
Nieto tested Thai goalkeeper Kampon Phatomakkakul from distance in the 28th minute before finding the opener for Koji Gyotoku’s side four minutes later through his maiden international goal.
Sor Rotana was closed down quickly inside the box by Jonathan Khemdee, forcing the Cambodian attacker to play the ball across the goal where an unmarked Nieto slid the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out to make it 1-0.
But their advantage lasted less than two minutes as Cambodia goalkeeper Reth Ly Heng could only parry a long-range effort from Worachit Kanitsribumphen into the path of Akarapong, who also bagged his first-ever goal in Thailand colours to restore parity.
Cambodia ended the half strongly as Soknet Hav had a header on target from a Nick Taylor cross in the 43rd minute before Nieto fancied his chances from a tight angle a minute later, but both efforts ended up being comfortable saves for Kampon.
Thailand made a triple change at the break as Suphanat Mueanta, Seksan Ratree and Thitathorn Auksornsri were introduced and the defending champions thought they took the lead just four minutes into the second period.
Worachit curled a free-kick from the left wing into the box but it proved too high for the attacking Suphanat and also deceived keeper Reth Ly Heng to nestle in the net. Though the goal was awarded on-field, it was overturned following a VAR review as Suphanat was deemed to be affecting play from an offside position.
Cambodia also brought on the influential Sieng Chanthea in the 55th minute, but it was the War Elephants who continued to assert their dominance before they finally pulled their noses ahead in the 78th minute through Akarapong’s second of the night.
Quick passes between Teerasak Poeiphimai, Worachit and Akarapong allowed the latter through on goal and with Cambodia captain Soeuy Visal failing to clear the lines, the 29-year-old was left with an easy finish to make it 2-1 for the Thais.
The holders secured a two-goal cushion six minutes later as centre-back Chalermsak brilliantly volleyed home a corner from Weerathep Pomphun in the 84th minute.
That goal would prove crucial for the Thais as Cambodia netted in stoppage time as Hikaru Mizuno knocked down a ball into the path of Coulibaly, who bagged a late consolation to bookend Cambodia's group stage campaign - having also scored their first goal against Malaysia in their opener.
While Thailand closed out their group stage campaign with a perfect record and will now take on the runners-up from Group B in the semi-final where they are also joined by Group A runners-up Singapore, Cambodia crashed out after collecting four points from four matches.
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