Determine the first team to enter the semi-finals of AFF Cup 2024

Thailand won an impressive 4-2 victory over Singapore on the evening of December 17. With 3 points from this match, the team from the Golden Temple is sure to top Group A and meet the second team in Group B in the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2024. Thailand is the first team in the tournament to secure a place in the group stage.

After 3 wins, the Thai team has 9 points. The only team in Group A that can equal Thailand is Singapore (6 points). However, according to the regulations of the AFF Cup 2024, the priority is given to the secondary index when 2 teams have the same points, which is the result of the direct confrontation. Therefore, Singapore will definitely not surpass Thailand even if the Golden Temple team loses to Cambodia in the final match.

The Thai team showed superior strength in Group A.

The remaining place in Group A is a battle between Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia. Singapore will face Malaysia (4 points) in the final match. Cambodia is the most disadvantaged team in the group. They can only qualify for the semi-finals if they beat Thailand and Malaysia beats Singapore by a sufficient margin.

In Group B, the Vietnamese team can secure the top spot and avoid Thailand right after tomorrow night's match (December 18). Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team's task is to win against the Philippines on away ground. In case of only a draw, the Vietnamese team is still guaranteed to advance but is not guaranteed the top spot in the group.

The match between Vietnam and the Philippines will take place at Rizal Memorial Stadium (Manila) at 8pm tomorrow night. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team currently have 6 points after 2 wins (defeating Laos 4-1 and beating Indonesia 1-0). Meanwhile, the Philippines only have 2 points from 2 draws with the same score of 1-1 with Laos and Myanmar.