Hosts Thailand and Malaysia secured their places in the semifinals of the 2012 AFF Futsal Championship in Bangkok yesterday, thanks to comfortable wins over East Timor and Myanmar respectively.

Seven-time winners and tournament favourites Thailand obliterated their opponents 19-1 to take their goal count to 67 from their three wins from three matches, ensuring a top-two finish in Group B and a place in the knockout rounds.

Malaysia, who were runners-up in the most recent edition in 2010, beat Myanmar 5-0 to also guarantee an advance from Group A off the back of three victories.

Cambodia were beaten 4-1 by Vietnam late yesterday, to end their chance of progression.

In their second match played on Friday, Cambodia had battled hard to keep up with Myanmar but ultimately succumbed to a 7-6 loss.

I Sothearith’s hat-trick was matched by a triple from Myanmar’s Tin Win Ko Ko including the last-minute decider.

To contact the reporter on this story: Dan Riley at [email protected]