Paul Murphy

Dec 10, 2014, 10:28 AM ET

Three time champions Thailand advanced to their fourth AFF Suzuki Cup final in the last five tournaments after defeating 10 man Philippines 3-0 on aggregate in their semifinal.

Kiatisuk Senamuang's side won 3-0 in the second leg in front of their home fans in Bangkok after Saturday's first leg in Manila ended up in a 0-0 draw.

The Thais will play either Vietnam or Malaysia in the final of the Southeast Asian tournament on Dec. 17 and 20. The Vietnamese lead 2-1 on aggregate ahead of Thursday's second leg in Hanoi.

Chanathip Songkrasin gave his team the lead in the Suzuki Cup second leg semifinal against Philippines.">

Krirkrit Thaweekarn scored a brace as a Chanathip Songkrasin-inspired Thailand swept the Philippines aside. Krirkit's two second-half strikes killed off the Azkals after Chanathip's early goal had given the home side the lead. It was a bruising encounter for the Thais as the Philippines adopted a very physical approach. But Kiatisuk Senamuang's team stood firm and eventually won with ease.

There had been much intrigue over Kiatisuk's team selection in the build-up to the game. The absence through injury and suspension of the two main strikers Kirati Keawsombat and Adisak Kraisorn raised questions about the team's firepower.

The home side opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation, with BEC Tero playmaker Chanathip playing up front on his own and Army United's Mongkol Tossakrai coming in on the right wing.It proved an inspired team selection as Chanathip and Mongkol tormented the away side. In contrast, the visitors' star man, Phil Younghusband, was relatively ineffective.

The first leg red card for Adisak on Saturday had created bad blood between the teams, with many feeling that Philippines' defender Amani Aguinaldo had provoked the Thai striker. A near sell-out crowd filled Rajamangala Stadium and there was loud booing of the opposition inside the first minute as a tough challenge on Mongkol raised the temperature.

In a crackling atmosphere, a trademark mazy run by Chanathip was ended by a cynical foul 30 yards from goal. The resulting free-kick from Prakit Deeprom drifted just wide.After sustained early pressure, the home side opened the scoring in the 6th minute. Krirkrit's cross was headed back into the path of Chanathip, who struck home a low drive from just inside the penalty box.

In the 10th minute, Mongkol was sent scampering clear but his shot from a narrow angle was pushed wide by Patrick Deyto. After 15 minutes, the visitors had their first effort on goal but Misagh Bahadoran's effort from the left went high and wide.

A yellow card was finally shown in the 21st minute when Daisuke Sato chopped down Mongkol on the right. But bookings were soon evened up when Prakit fell foul of the referee for a cynical challenge.

Chanathip then found himself in a similar position to his goal but this time he had to take a touch and his shot went well wide.

Thailand midfielder Patrick Reichelt, who used to ply his trade in Thailand.

But minutes later, Mongkol was yet again the victim of a cynical challenge and Martin Steuble was added to the referee's book.

The War Elephants came close again when a great left foot shot from 25 yards by Peerapat Notechaiya flew just over the bar.

In the 40th minute, the Philippines had their first effort on target. But Phil Younghusband's header went straight into Kawin Thamsatchanan's arms.

Just before half-time, Prakit was sent clear on the left and a vital second goal looked likely. But the TOT man inexplicably chose to cross rather than shoot and the chance was lost.

The first chance of the second half fell to the visitors when Phil Younghusband found himself in space on the left. However, the Azkals' playmaker's cross-cum-shot failed to trouble Kawin.The Thai keeper had to be at his best minutes later, though, when he tipped over Steuble's fierce long-range strike.

Thai anxiety was rising but in the 55th minute, Chanathip almost added a second. Once again, he picked up a loose ball after a corner and Deyto had to scramble to keep out his low shot from 20 yards.

But the home fans did not have long to wait for the second goal to arrive. Prakit played an excellent ball to put Krirkrit through on goal. The midfielder showed great strength to hold off a defender before slipping a low shot into the net.

As the visitors started to press, Thailand looked for an opportunity to hit on the break. When the ball was played to Mongkol, he was brought down by a high challenge from Ascott United defender, Robert Gier, who received a booking.

With 15 minutes remaining, Chanathip slipped a perfect ball through to Charyl Chappuis on the left. The Swiss-Thai star rounded Deyto but took the ball too far wide and rolled the ball into the side netting when he should have taken time to look up and find a team-mate.

The home side had another excellent chance to put the game out of sight when Chanathip found Krirkrit in acres of space. The Chonburi man advanced on goal and took his time to line up a shot but his fierce drive hit the side netting.

Home jitters were eased when, not surprisingly, a Philippines player saw red. Steuble, already on a yellow card, cleaned out Prakit and left the referee with little alternative.

The Mexican wave that followed was a sign that the celebrations were beginning. Krirkrit then made up for his earlier miss when he cut inside from the left and fired home to add gloss to the scoreline.

"We wanted to win for our fans. The players worked hard. Whether we play Vietnam or Malaysia in the final, we have the confidence to lift the cup and bring it back to Thailand," Kiatisuk told reporters.

"Thailand are a great team and deserved to win. But we can go home with our heads held high. Today we played against a team who were at a different level to us," said Philippines coach Thomas Dooley.

This is the 10th AFF championship. If Thailand win the final, they will equal Singapore's record of four titles. Vietnam and Malaysia have won the tournament once each.