In the match at the Rayong Stadium, the Thais did just enough to score two goals in the second half for the win, reports the Bangkok Post.
Thailand U23 coach Issara Sritaro told a post-match press conference: “We made some changes to our tactics as we were not smooth at the beginning, but after the first goal in the second half, everything started looking good. However, there are a few things that need adjustment and I hope we will do better in our next game.”
After beating Myanmar 3-0 in their first game and then Brunei by the same scoreline in their second encounter in the group, the Thais were in no real danger of making the cut to the next round.
With the experience of having played at the 2023 SEA Games, Thailand were in full control throughout the match as they restricted Cambodia to just a handful of opportunities in the first half.
The three substitutions after the breather injected Thailand with more sense of urgency and just four minutes in, they grabbed the lead when a header from Chukid Wanpraphao was pushed into goal by Cambodian defender Sam.
Having to play catch-up with the rain coming down hard was always going to be difficult for Cambodia, even though they came close with a Sin Sovannmakara’s 64th minute effort.
But 10 minutes to the end, Thailand made sure of their third full points when a hard grounder from Nethithorn Kaewcharoen took a deflection into goal to beat Cambodian custodian Reth Ly Heng for the second time on the night.
“The passion and the effort against a team which on paper is much, much stronger than us is contagious. We will do better next time,” said Cambodia head coach Felix Dalmas.
The Thailand U23 team will play the Indonesia U23 team in tomorrow evening’s semi-final, kick-off 8pm local time.
Defending champions Vietnam and Malaysia will contest the other semi-final tomorrow, with the final to be played on Saturday, kick-off 8pm local time.