Three-time champions Thailand moved a step closer to their first Southeast Asian title in a dozen years after surviving a second half red card to earn a 0-0 draw away to the Philippines in the semifinal first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup in Manila on Saturday night.
Subsitute forward Kraisorn Adisak was shown a straight red card in the 68th minute for an off-the-ball incident involving Philippines' defender Amani Aguinaldo.
The result at Rizal Memorial Stadium puts the War Elephants in a good position ahead of the second leg in front of their own fans Bangkok on Wednesday. Last month on home soil, they defeated the Philippines 3-0 in a pre-tournament friendly.
Playing in their third straight Suzuki Cup semifinal after last four appearances in 2010 and 2012, the Philippines are trying to win through to their first ever AFF final. And Thomas Dooley's Azkals more than held their own on the synthetic pitch against tournament favourites Thailand, who are unbeaten in the 2014 tournament after topping the Hanoi-based Group A.
Although Thailand edged possession, the Philippines had the best chances to break the deadlock either side of half-time. In the 41st minute, Phil Younghusband's long-range free-kick forced Thailand goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan into making a sharp save, parrying it wide.
And then in the 49th minute, Younghusband broke clear in the box, only to lose his footing with only Kawin to beat.
Thailand responded with a good chance of their own. Chappuis Charyl's defence splitting pass found the unmarked Sarawut Masuk, but the midfielder narrowly failed to make contact with his sprawling effort at the far post as the goal beckoned.
Any hopes the Thais had of gaining a stranglehold on the match were dashed when Kraisorn was given his marching orders with 22 minutes to go. He will miss Wednesday's second leg at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.
But despite Younghusband having more chances to score, the Azkals couldn't make their numerical advantage count despite coach Dooley injecting attacking players into the game.
Kiatisuk Senamuang's speedy and skillful side are chasing their first AFF title since 2002.
The other semifinal is between Group A winners Vietnam and Group B runners-up Malaysia at the Shah Alam Stadium near Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Both nations have won the tournament once -- Vietnam in 2008 and Malaysia in 2010 under legendary coach K. Rajagobal.