BACOLOD, Philippines: Vietnam handed Sven-Goran Eriksson his first defeat as head coach, defeating the Philippines 2-1 to take a first-leg advantage in their Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup championship semi-final.
The teams will play again on Thursday in Hanoi to decide who will face the winner of the Thailand-Malaysia match-up in the Cup final, to begin next week.
On Saturday at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Malaysia and Thailand battled to a scoreless draw, to set up Wednesday's match in Bangkok as that series' decider. (Match details below)
Nguyen Anh Duc headed the visitors into the lead after 12 minutes at Panaad Stadium, but Patrick Reichelt restored parity with a close-range volley on the stroke of half-time.
However, Phan Van Duc put the 2008 champions back in front early in the second half, as they grabbed the upper hand ahead of the return game at Hanoi's My Dinh Stadium on Thursday.
Vietnam grabbed the early initiative in Bacolod when Doan Van Hau's lofted ball caught out the Azkals defence, with Anh Duc looping a header over goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard and into the net.
Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai both came close to extending the lead for the visitors but the Filipinos got back on level terms in first-half stoppage time.
Following an exchange of passes on the left flank, Phil Younghusband sent an accurate cross for Reichelt to volley home from close range.
The hosts deserved their equaliser, but they were caught cold again at the start of the second half as Nguyen Trong Hoang chipped the ball over the top of the defence for Duc to beat the offside trap and slot easily past Falkesgaard.
It could have got worse for the Filipinos as Adam Reed's deflection forced a fine reflex save from Falkesgaard.
The Philippines goalkeeper then made good stops to keep out a pair of efforts by substitute Ha Duc Chinh, while Nguyen Cong Phuong shot wide after a great run through the home defence.
The AFF Suzuki Cup channel provided video highlights of the match.
In Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, Malaysia, roared on by a sell-out crowd of more than 85,000, kept the five-time Thai winners of the tournament on their back foot for much of the 90 minutes but failed to establish a lead to take to Bangkok for Wednesday's now decisive match.
Malaysia started brightly against Milovan Rajevac's side who struggled to contain Gambia-born midfielder Mohamadou Samareh.
Safawi Rasid skied an early effort over the bar before Samareh sent a 26th minute shot narrowly wide of Thai goalkeeper Chatchai Budrom's right post as Malaysia threatened.
Sumareh was a lively figure for the hosts but he squandered their best opportunity in the 26th minute when he was found unmarked in the box by Zaquan Adha with only goalkeeper Chatchai Budprom to beat, but shot wastefully wide.
Safawi had one final opportunity for Malaysia in stoppage time but the winger's wayward effort from the edge of the box summed up his side's frustrating evening.
Match analysts said that Thailand, who comfortably secured their spot in the last four and must be considered favourites to advance, nevertheless lost poise and on Saturday lacked the assuredness that had seen them finish top of their group ahead of the Philippines.
Adisak Kraisorn, the tournament's leading scorer with eight goals, had a quiet evening, thumping an attempt from outside the area well over the bar just before the hour mark in a rare sight of goal for the Thais.
If necessary on Wednesday, Thailand and Malaysia will play extra time and then, finally, resort to penalties to decide who advance to the two-leg Cup finals on Dec 11 and Dec 15 against Vietnam or the Philippines.
