Striker Teerasil Dangda says an away goal is the target for defending champions Thailand when they travel to Yangon for Sunday's AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal first leg against Myanmar.
After topping Group A with three wins out of three, the Thais will face Group B runners up Myanmar.
Teerasil, who has taken good form from the 2-2 draw with Asian champions Australia on Nov. 15 into the regional tournament, says he has a healthy respect for the co-hosts.
"We are ready for Myanmar," Teerasil told The Bangkok Post. "We must try to get a good result or score an away goal in the first leg. This would give us an advantage in the second leg."
The second leg will be played at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium on Dec. 8.
Teerasil scored a hat trick in Thailand's opening 4-2 victory over Indonesia on Nov. 19. But the Indonesians would defy expectations to defeat Singapore 2-1 in their final game on Nov. 25 to advance as Group A runners up.
Teerasil wasn't part of the 2014 Suzuki Cup-winning team, but current coach Kiatisuk Senamuang masterminded that fourth AFF triumph.
Like the Thais, the Myanmar squad have grown together from national age-group sides.
"We are practising our tactics for the Myanmar game," Kiatisuk said.
"Myanmar players have played together for a long time, and many were in their junior side that played in FIFA U20 World Cup last year.
"They are strong, and they are good."
Thailand will travel to Yangon on Thursday ahead of Saturday's game.
Third-string goalkeeper Chanin Sae-ear was declared the squad's only injured player after training this week at Kirin Valley in Khao Yai.