An understrength Thailand side have sent a huge warning to the rest of the competition as they eased past Singapore 2-0 at the National Stadium to claim top spot in Group A.

First half goals from Elias Dolah and Supachai Jaided were enough to secure the victory in a match where coach Alexandre Polking opted to rotate heavily, with the Thailand boss understandably delighted by how things played out.

“I’m really happy for the win and the strategy that we took but the meaning of that is zero now.

“We knew it was risky to change so many players but they had worked so hard in training and deserved their chance and sure it might give us slightly fresher legs in the semifinal but it doesn’t really mean anything about sending a message or anything like that.”

Whereas Thailand chose to rotate virtually their entire first choice XI, Singapore stuck solid with a more settled side and that decision backfired as Shakir Hamzah was forced off with injury after just 12 minutes.

The rhythm of the contest was constantly interrupted over the first 20 minutes as a series of other minor injuries and fouls slowed things down with the closest that either side came to opening the scoring being a series of set-piece opportunities for the hosts.

Thailand then, with their first chance of the evening, took the lead as a freekick from the right was delivered perfectly by Bordin Phala with Hassan Sunny only able to tip the effort onto the bar with Dolah on hand to sweep home the rebound and make it 1-0 in the 31^st minute.

Tristan Do was then brought down on the end of a long run towards the box six minutes later before Supachai doubled the Thai lead on the stroke of halftime as he was played through by an intelligent ball from Worachit Kanitsribampen and finished calmly past Hassan to send the War Elephants to the break with a handy two-goal lead.

Thailand started the second half at a good intensity with Weerathep Pomphan flashing an effort across the face of goal from a corner in the 47^th minute before Ikhsan couldn’t finish a half opening on the end of a long counter for the hosts shortly afterwards as the match was starting to open up.

Substitute Sivakorn Tiatrakul sent off a scuffed effort with 20 minutes remaining for Thailand before Irfan Fandi lashed wide following a Singapore freekick shortly afterwards with both teams still looking to push forward.

The best chance of the second half then fell to the Thais late on as Do burst free down the left but couldn’t quite get the weight right on his cross with two teammates in a good position as time wound down on the ultimately comfortable win.

Singapore coach Tatsuma Yoshida was highly emotional after the match where he cut short his press conference after having broken down in tears whilst professing his love for the nation.

“We are on the way, we’re not a top level nation but we’re in the semifinal for the first time in nine years.

“If there is any blame it should come on me, I’m not Pep Guardiola, I’m Tatsuma Yoshida from Japan but I’m proud of Singapore, I love Singapore and now I want to cry.”