Hosts Laos tore up the form book to progress to the semi-finals of the 2009 SEA Games ahead of 2007 bronze medallists Myanmar and highly-fancied Indonesia, following a goalless draw with Singapore on Thursday.
Guided by former Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl, Laos opened their Group B campaign with an creditable 1-1 draw with Myanmar before stunning Indonesia in their next match as two second-half goals from Thailand-based striker Lamnao Singto (pictured in action against Singapore) saw the competition outsiders defeat one of the pre-tournament favourites.
With four points in the bag Laos needed only a draw to top the group on goal difference which they achieved at the packed National Stadium by shutting out Singapore, who also advanced to the last four as Group B runners-up.
Laos, whose only medal success was a shared bronze in 1969 when the tournament was known as the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games, will play the runners-up of Group A, which concludes on Friday, with defending champions Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Indonesia crashed out of the Southeast Asian Games football tournament with a 3-1 defeat to 2007 runners-up Myanmar, leaving them rooted at the bottom of Group B with just a single point after three matches.
Thailand, gunning for their ninth consecutive success in the under-23 competition, are in action in Group A Friday. They currently top the standings.
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