Bangkok: Adisak Kraisorn missed a last-minute penalty as Malaysia eliminated defending AFF Suzuki Cup champions Thailand to advance to the final after a 2-2 draw in the second leg of the semi-final at Rajamangala Stadium on Wednesday saw the 2010 winners progress on away goals  

After the first leg ended goalless on Saturday, the hosts opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Thitipan Puangchan's header went in via a deflection off Irfan Zakaria but they were pegged back following a wonderful strike from Syahmi Safari as Malaysia’s away goal gave them the upper hand at the interval.

Pansa Hemviboon restored Thailand’s advantage in the 62nd minute but Malaysia levelled again through Norshahrul Idlan before, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, the tournament’s top scorer Adisak blazed a penalty over the bar as the visitors secured a place in the final following the most dramatic of finishes.

Malaysia controlled the majority of possession in the opening stages but suffered a set-back 18 minutes in as defender Aidil Zafuan limped off with an injury.

Thailand took the lead just a few minutes later when Supachai Jaided’s deep cross from the left was played back across goal by Mongkol Tossakrai and Thitipan headed into the back of the net despite the best efforts of Malaysian goalkeeper Farizal Marlias, whose save struck Irfan on the way over the line.

But just before the half hour, Tan Cheng Hoe’s side levelled proceedings with one of the goals of the tournament as Malaysia broke from one end of the pitch to the other.

Nazirul Naim was heavily involved, playing two give-and-goes on the left side before finding Norshahrul, who turned and laid the ball off to Syahmi down the right. The defender advanced forward and then arrowed an unstoppable effort from the corner of the penalty box into the Chatchai Budprom’s top right corner.

Thailand could have gone back in front soon after when Mongkol centred for Adisak, but the striker fired well over on the turn when he should have done better.

As half-time approached, Syamar Kutty found Mohamadou Sumareh as Malaysia sought a second, but the midfielder’s cross-cum-shot evaded everyone and the sides went in level.

With the game still all square just after the hour, Thailand coach Milovan Rajevac brought on Sumanya Purisai and the substitute would have an immediate impact just seconds later as his free-kick from the left deflected off Adisak’s shoulder and onto the crossbar, before Pansa headed in the rebound.

The game took yet another twist with 20 minutes to play when Norshahrul (pictured above) controlled Syamer’s low centre, turned and fired past Chatchai to spark joyous celebrations among the Harimau Malaya and leave the majority inside Rajamangala Stadium stunned.

Malaysia were struggling to deal with balls into the box, though, and the holders almost went in front again with eight minutes remaining but Pansa’s header from Korrakot Wirayaudomsiri’s cross from the left clipped the top of the bar on the way over.

With five minutes of stoppage time signalled, Thailand were afforded one last roll of the dice and were given a golden opportunity to secure a place in the final when Syahmi handled under pressure from Adisak, with the referee pointing to the spot and dismissing the defender for his second yellow card.

After a lengthy delay Adisak stepped forward, only to sky his spot-kick well over the bar as Malaysia advanced to their first final since 2014 where they will play the winner of Thursday’s clash between Vietnam and the Philippines.