Thailand beat Singapore 3-1 in ASEAN semi first leg
What's next: Singapore head to Bangkok on Aug. 18 needing a two-goal win to overturn Thailand's advantage.
Thailand took control of their ASEAN Championship semifinal by beating Singapore 3-1 in the first leg at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday. Teerasak Poeiphimai scored twice in the first half to put Thailand ahead, and captain Seksan Ratree added a third soon after the break. Singapore had a chance to cut the deficit earlier, but Shawal Anuar's penalty was saved before Ilhan Fandi pulled one back. The result extended Thailand's winning run against Singapore to 11 matches. The second leg is set for Aug. 18 at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, where Singapore will try to erase a two-goal aggregate deficit against the tournament's highest-ranked team.