Taken from Today online:
We'll leave the field smiling on Monday, vows Pathmanathan
by Shamir Osman
05:56 AM Dec 12, 2009
VIENTIANE - Thailand have a proud history in the SEA Games football competition, having won the coveted gold medal 12 times.
They have every gold medal since 1993, but that proud streak ended in dramatic fashion on Friday when but the champions were dumped out at the group stage after they fell 2-1 to Malaysia.
The Malaysians finished second in Group A and will now face hosts Laos in the semi-finals. Group A winners Vietnam will take on Group B runners-up Singapore.
Both matches are on Monday.
Singapore coach Terry Pathmanathan is confident his charges are ready for Henrique Calisto and Vietnam.
"We are prepared for any opposition in the semi-finals, and there will be no change as far as our approach is concerned," the former Singapore skipper told MediaCorp. "The boys have put in hard work, shown discipline and they are up for the challenge. I cannot ask for anything more from them".
Pathmanathan is aware of the threat Vietnam pose with their slick pass and move game.
He said: "We have two days to tidy things up and work on our defence to contain Vietnam, and sharpen our attack. The advantage we have over them is height and we plan to capitalise on that."
With qualification virtually sealed ahead of their last group fixture against Laos on Thursday, Pathmanathan rested Hariss Harun, Shahdan Sulaiman, Khairul Nizam and deadball dangerman Shaiful Esah, and they are all raring to go.
Said Pathmanathan: "The boys are confident and very motivated and we will do whatever it takes to come off the pitch smiling on Monday.
"It was tough getting to the semi-finals and I am proud of this young team." SHAMIR OSMAN
So there u have it its Singapore vs Vietnam and Malaysia Vs Laos semi-final matches on Monday. Thailand for the 1st time since 1993 are not in the semi-finals. I say we stand a good chance of reaching the final...I would love to see a Singapore Vs Malaysia final
And Mediacorp had better show a live telecast of the match, not a delayed one.