The results send Philippines and Timor-Leste to the top of the five-team Group A, which also includes hosts Thailand, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals.

Despite their proud record of four previous titles, Thailand will play host for the first time in the tournament, which this year features nine women’s national teams competing for the title of Southeast Asian champions, with the final to be held on August 27.

With 20 matches ahead in two weeks of football, the-AFC.com previews the contenders and challengers in Chonburi.

The favourites

The Chaba Kaew flew to Palembang, Indonesia on Thursday boasting a strong squad which includes AFC Women's Asian Cup stars Kanjana Sung-Ngoen and Suchawadee Nildhamrong, as they look to defend their 2015 and 2016 ASEAN titles.

Head coach Nuengrutai, whose return to the national top job has seen Thailand qualify for a second successive FIFA Women's World Cup, acknowledged her side are among the favourites, but warned against complacency.

But what made the victory magnificent for the Thais was the fact that they had to come back from two goals down before they were able to put down the aspiring young Matildas.

“It was a very difficult game, especially when we were down by two goals. I really thought it would be tough to win this tie,” said Thailand head coach Nuengrutai Sraithongvian.

“I am very proud of the players for coming back into this game the way they did.”

The Thais – three times champions in 2014, 2015 and 2016 – who had beaten the same Australian side 4-2 in the group stage would find them a totally different kettle of fish.

Several positional changes saw the speedy Kanjana Sung-ngoen being clamped down on the right while the usually explosive Suchawadee Niidhamrong had a rather quiet night at the start.

Defending champions Thailand came from a goal down to beat Myanmar 3-1 at the Jaka Baring Stadium while Vietnam failed to hold on to an early lead to succumb to a 4-2 loss against Australia, represented by their Under-20 team, in the other semi-final at the Bumi Sriwiaya Stadium.

“The team responded well when Myanmar turned defensive after they got the lead,” said Thailand head coach Nuengrutai Sraithongvian, whose team had beaten Australia 4-2 in the group stage.

“But after getting the equaliser, we changed tactics and that worked well for us to get the win.”

The match did not come alive until the 24th minute where off a quick counter-attack; Myanmar put their noses in front when Khin Moe Wai fired in.

A stung Thailand got their act together and got the equaliser in the 34th minute through the speedy Kanjana Sung-Ngoen who slammed in a rebound.

Vietnam will play Australia, represented by their Under-20 squad, while Myanmar have to take on defending champions Thailand in the last four.

The more organised Vietnam scored early in the first half before adding three more goals after the break as Myanmar staged a late revival for the final scoreline at the Jaka Baring Stadium..

“It is good to score four wins from four matches,” said Vietnam head coach Mai Duc Chung. “Now we will look forward to playing against Australia in the semi-finals.”

Sealing top spot would have meant avoiding Thailand in the semi-finals and Vietnam took the lead 12 minutes into the game when a poor clearance by the Myanmar defence allowed Pham Hai Yen to stab home.

In the decisive match to decide the team classifications before the semi-finals on July 11 , the game was evenly fought at the start as Australia - represented by their Under-20 - side matched the Thais blow for blow.

After Princess Megan Isei missed with a grounder in the 10th minute, Australia seemed to take a back seat as Thailand grew in confidence.

The presence of the combative Suchawadee Nildhamrong made the difference at the centre of the park when she created two good opportunities – the first was a stiff grounder that narrowly missed the target while the second was a cross that she should have gotten to.