AFF Suzuki Cup: Philippines vs Myanmar Preview

SINGAPORE — Group A has thrown up a very interesting scenario. With Thailand having already qualified for the knock out stage it leaves a big gap for both Vietnam and the Philippines to fill.

Thailand will want to finish top of their group so I do think that Winfred Schafer will not make many changes and won't decimate the side that has so far been the only team with a 100% record.

Vietnam will find it very hard to compete with the Thais whose performance in the last game sent a big statement to all the teams in the competition.

The big game for me is the Philippines versus Myanmar. Myanmar aren't out yet of the competition and 3 points against the Azkals could see them progress if the result in the other fixture goes their way.

However, the Myanmar league is not one of the strongest leagues in the region and the players, albeit committed, will defiantly tire in this game. Three games in seven days are a lot to cope with especially at this level.

The Philippines league is also at an amateur level, but they have the luxury of a lot of players from overseas who are still plying their trade there.

All that said, I do think that anything could happen in this game as the Azkals have flattered to deceive so far in this tournament.

The late winner they scored against Vietnam showed that the Azkals have the spirit to take all 3 points in this game.

Michael Wiess made two changes in the last game and bringing in Jason De Jong was the key to getting the correct result.

He just sat in the middle of the park and broke down all of the attacks that Vietnam posed. Rob Gier and Juan Guirado looking pretty solid at the back, and the two full backs Ray Jonnson and Dennis Cagara add to the strength.

The problem for me is at the other end of the field. The two Younghusband (James & Phil) have disappointed in this year's tournament and I was expecting a lot more from the pair in this edition of the competition.

I would actually like to see Dennis Wolf get a start in this game as he has scored 5 goals in 12 games and I believe that they will need to score at least 2 goals in this match to emulate what they did two years ago, and that is to qualify for the semi finals again.

Myanmar on the other hand has to pick themselves up from a 4-0 hammering by Thailand. The Thais were in total control in this game and should have won by more.

The Myanmar back four just don't look like they can cope with what the Azkals have, and that are runners coming from deep and arriving late.

That will be the key to the Philippines winning this game but they will still have to be wary as Kyi Lin in the midfield loves to make forward runs late into the box.

This could prove to be a challenge for the Philippines, as they haven't encountered this from Thailand and Vietnam to the extent that Myanmar will do.

With the lack of striking options for Myanmar, I can only see one result in this game and that will be a win for the Azkals and see them progress through to the knock out stage of the competition.

Predictions: Philippines 2-1 Myanmar

In the other game, Thailand won't lose. Vietnam looked lost and totally despondent in their last game against the Azkals (particularly at the end of the match) so I am predicting a 2-0 win for the Thai's.

Former professional footballer Paul Masefield has previously played in England and Asia and is ESPN STAR Sports' football pundit and commentator. Catch him on the LIVE coverage of the AFF Suzuki Cup when Philippines play against Myanmar this Friday on ESPN at 9.15pm HKT