Bacolod City: Reigning champions Thailand dropped points for the first time in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup after they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Philippines, but coach Milovan Rajevac believes his team remain favorites to top Group B.

The race for the two semifinal spots is down to three teams with Thailand, Philippines and Singapore all in contention heading into the final day of the group stage. 

With Thailand and Philippines at seven points and Singapore at six, a draw for the top two teams will be enough to send them through to the next round. 

The War Elephants and the Lions are virtually playing in a knockout match at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Sunday, while the Azkals are away against already-eliminated Indonesia in Jakarta. 

"Our primary target is to be the top of the group,” said Rajevac. "We are positive about this and we can do this at home when we play Singapore.”

The Serbian coach believes the 1-1 draw at the wet and slick Panaad Stadium was a fair scoreline, contrary to what Azkals coach Sven Goran Eriksson said that the home side were the better team. 

“I think we were controlling the match and we were very unlucky in that situation (conceding) the second goal,” said Rajevac. “It was very tough match as I expected. It was a competitive match. It was a very good setup by Mr. Eriksson and I think the result is realistic.”

Supachai Jaided gave the Thais the lead in the 56th minute with his second goal of the tournament only for substitute Jovin Bedic to equalize nine minutes from time as the Azkals drew the reigning champions for the second time in their last four meetings. 

Rajevac said their focus is now on rest and recovery as they look ahead to the duel with Singapore, which last lifted the title in 2012 at the expense of the Thais. 

“There’s a match every four days and we’re trying to recover the team and rest them properly,” said Rajevac.