Thailand defeated hosts Singapore 2-1 in their opening Group B game on Sunday (November 28) and a win against the Malaysians will send them to the last four with one group match remaining.
Coach Kiatisak Senamuang's men trained on the artificial turf at Jalan Besar yesterday without Mongkol Totsakrai and Peerapat Notechaiya, who both were nursing knee injuries sustained in the Singapore match.
Kiatisak said he would make several changes to the line-up with Tanaboon Ketsarat and Adisorn Promrak set to start in the heart of the defence.
"They played together at the Asian Games and know each other well,'' said Kiatisak.
"Playing on the artificial pitch should not be a problem as you must be able to play on any pitch. If we can play to our standard, I am confident that we will beat Malaysia.''
The Football Association of Thailand will give the team one million baht for a win plus 200,000 baht for each goal they score against Malaysia.
Thailand have won the Asean title three times — the last in 2002. They lost to Singapore in the previous final as the Lions claimed a record fourth crown.
Malaysia need a win against Thailand today to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals after they were held to a scoreless draw by Myanmar in the opening game.
Malaysian coach Dollah Salleh said: "It will be a tough match for us but we are ready to play against Thailand. Thailand are a strong team and we will have to do something to get the three points."
In Group A in Hanoi, the Philippines yesterday booked their place in the semi-finals with a 4-0 win over 10-man Indonesia.
The Philippines followed up their 4-1 victory over Laos on Saturday to register their second straight win and secure a place in the last four of the eight-nation tournament.
In yesterday's other Group A match, Vietnam proved too strong for Laos, winning 3-0 to stay in contention for a semi-final berth.
The Vietnamese have four points, Indonesia one and Laos zero. Bangkok Post