SINGAPORE: Thailand’s “Messi Jay” put the seal on a thumping 5-0 win over Indonesia as the defending champions stormed into the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games final against Myanmar on Saturday.
Chanathip Songkrasin, glowingly compared to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, scored in the last minute to round off an emphatic semifinal victory in Singapore.
The scale and manner of the win will install Thailand as raging favorites for Monday’s final against dark horses Myanmar, who rode their luck in a 2-1 upset of Vietnam.
It also gives Indonesia a chastening send-off into the international wilderness after they were suspended by world body FIFA over political interference.
Thailand attacked fluently from the outset and it was no surprise when Rungrat Phumichantuk, pouncing on a rebound, put them in front on 13 minutes.
Thitiphan Puangjan nodded Thailand’s second in the 29th minute before Rungrat got his second thanks to Nurul Sriyankem’s perfect cross six minutes after half-time.
Narubadin Weerawatnodom produced a tight finish on 57 minutes to make it four before “Messi Jay” Chanathip, who had hit the post, grabbed the fifth.
“We are not Barcelona — we get gold first and then we talk,” said Thai coach Promrut Choketawee.
Earlier fortune smiled on Myanmar as they shocked a vibrant Vietnam side 2-1, helped by a penalty and a wickedly deflected winner.
Myanmar’s youngest player, 18-year-old Si Thu Aung, converted a penalty on 39 minutes after Vietnam’s Ho Ngoc Thang inadvertently blocked a free-kick with his elbow.
Vietnam responded with all-out attack as they dominated the match but they were thwarted by Myanmar’s inspired goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Phyo and their own wayward finishing.
The Vietnamese finally equalized in the 72nd minute through midfielder Vo Huy Toan with an easy tap-in to an empty net.
But Myanmar snatched victory when Lin Nay Tun’s shot looped off a defender and into the net on 80 minutes.
The win was a surprise even to Myanmar’s coach Kyi Lwin, after free-flowing Vietnam failed to convert their chances in wave after wave of attack.
“I feel very surprised about the result and I would like to thank all our players,” said the coach, a silver-medallist from Myanmar’s only previous final appearance in 1993.
SEA Games: Five-star Thais set up Myanmar football final
SEA Games: Five-star Thais set up Myanmar football final
Irate Carlsen pushes away camera after World Blitz Championships loss
- Carlsen, world champion between 2013 and 2023, had a frustrating second day at the championships in Doha on Saturday
DOHA: Magnus Carlsen pushed away a camera after losing to Vladislav Artemiev at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Qatar, the latest example of the former world champion letting his vexation boil over.
Carlsen, world champion between 2013 and 2023, had a frustrating second day at the championships in Doha on Saturday, splitting a point with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave before he was beaten by Artemiev.
When a photographer followed as Carlsen stormed out of the venue, the Norwegian pushed away the camera.
Carlsen attracted attention for slamming his fist on the table after losing to world champion Gukesh Dommaraju at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament.
Also last year, he briefly quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York when governing body FIDE barred him from a round for wearing jeans.
FIDE does not plan any action against Carlsen for Saturday’s outburst but will review the incident if a complaint is launched, CEO Emil Sutovsky told Reuters.
Despite his defeat, Carlsen is still in contention for the title at the championships and sits in joint second with seven points alongside Alexey Sarana, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
Artemiev and Hans Niemann share the lead in the open category on 7.5.
