Planet Sport

Teerathep Winothai and Ronnachai Rangsiyo both scored as Thailand booked their spot in the AFF Suzuki Cup final

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Indonesians levelled the semi-final on aggregate after an early own goal by Chonlatit Jantakam.

But Teerathep put the Thais back on top with a 73rd minute strike and substitute Ronnachai sealed the tie two minutes from time to send the three-time champions through to a clash against either Vietnam or defending champions Singapore in next week's final.

The Thais were in the driving seat after claiming a narrow win in Jakarta on Tuesday, but it was the visitors who began strongly in the second leg at the Rajamangala Stadium, forcing four corners early on.

The Indonesian pressure paid dividends in the ninth minute as Ismed Sofyan's corner from the left caused confusion in the Thai defence with Suchao Nutnum rising to meet the ball with Chonlatit, who inadvertently diverted the ball in at the near post off his back.

It was the first goal conceded in the tournament by the Thais, but they gradually asserted themselves and nearly got back on level terms in the 25th minute as Teerasil Dangda headed down a cross to Teerathep whose first-time volley from 15 metres crashed against the crossbar.

Natthapong Samana then lofted the ball in for Suchao, who controlled it with his chest before launching a bicycle kick straight at Indonesia keeper Markus Harison.

There were concerns for Indonesia five minutes into the second half when Harison landed heavily on his back after rolling over Charis Yulianto as he gathered in a free-kick.

The Indonesia keeper received treatment for several minutes but returned to make a fine save to keep out a Teerasil header just after the hour.

Indonesia's chances came mainly on the counter-attack in the second half, but Budi Sudarsono nearly got behind the Thai defence in the 64th minute only to be denied by a great covering tackle by Suree Sukha.

Harison made a superb stop to deny Teeratep two minutes later after he was picked out in the box by Chonlatit's pass from the halfway line.

But he could do little in the 73rd minute when a superb through ball by Datsakorn released Teerasil down the left.

The striker cut the ball back across the six-yard box to Teeratep, who lashed the ball in at the far post.

The Indonesians were unable to muster a response and it was the Thais who continued to exert the pressure with Harison making a superb save to deny substitute Pichitphong Choeichiu.

Two minutes from time, the Thais sealed victory when the Indonesian defence failed to clear a Datsakorn free-kick and Ronnachai fired in a shot which took a deflection off an Indonesian defender on its way past Harison.