Heavyweights Thailand face the Philippines at Singapore’s National Stadium tomorrow knowing that a win will see them safely through to the semi-finals whilst a loss for the Azkals would end their campaign.

There’s plenty at stake for both nations with Thailand coach Alexandre Polking fully aware of just how crucial the clash could be whilst also cautioning not to read too much into the Philippines' big win over Timor-Leste in their previous outing.

“It’s a very important game and it can be a decider for reaching the semi-finals so we’ve focussed a lot on recovery and analysis," said the Brazilian. 

“I said it before though that the Philippines played a Timor-Leste side with many changes and so they didn’t impress me especially considering that Timor didn’t bring on their main players until the second half.”

In terms of player availability the coach has said it’s mixed news with two of his squad forced to withdraw, although there is a new arrival to help bolster their ranks.

“Philip Roller has just arrived from Germany to join the squad but (goalkeeper) Kawin Thamsatchanan has had a family issue and has had to leave the squad whilst (defender) Jonathan Khemdee was feeling dizzy at training and we decided it would be best to recover back at his club side”

The Philippines meanwhile enter the clash in a confident frame of mind on the back of that thumping 7-0 defeat of Timor-Leste but know that the equation remains the same and that’s one where continual wins are needed after losing to Singapore in their opening match. 

That defeat leaves them trailing Thailand by three points and coach Stewart Hall said that nothing less than a win will do, especially with the head-to-head record being the tiebreaker should teams finish level on points.

“It was a big confidence boost getting the win in the last match but we need to keep winning and likely to keep winning well," he said. 

“Of course that doesn’t mean that we need to try and win 4-0 or 5-0 but we’re under no false hopes as to what is required and that starts with the win.”