MALACCA: Early goals in each half set Malaysia on the way to the Nations Cup Under-21 final against Thailand with a 3-0 win over Singapore at the Hang Jebat Stadium here on Friday.
Safawi Rashid and Syafiq Ahmad scored early in the first and second halves respectively before Nur Syamie Iszuan Amin added another late on to cap a commanding display by Malaysia.
Reigning Sea Games champions Thailand downed Vietnam 2-0 in the first semi-final at the same venue.
Malaysia took the lead in the fourth minute when Jafri Firdaud Chew whipped in a free-kick which hit the post and bounced off Singapore goalkeeper Zhafran Rohaizad.
With the ball rolling across the goal-line but not over it, Safawi was on hand to tap into an unguarded net to the delight of the 2,000-odd fans in attendance.
Adam Nor Azlin should have made it 2-0 in the 13th minute after springing clear of the Singapore defence with some nifty footwork but failed to beat Zhafran as he raced towards goal.
Four minutes after the break, Safawi was denied by Zhafran from close range after being set up by Jafri, who then led a quick counter-attack which saw Malaysia gain a corner and score a second goal.
Zhafran made a hash of the outswinging corner-kick as Syafiq Ahmad, a half-time replacement for Adam, stabbed home the loose ball in the 52nd minute.
Winger Nur Syamie put a seal on the win by turning in a cross from substitute Farhan Roslan seven minutes from time.
Earlier, Nattawut Sombattoytha put Thailand ahead in sixth minute after a Vietnamese defensive error before Pravee Tantataemee added the second in the 72nd off a free-kick by Chenrob Samphaodi.