A partisan crowd saw Thailand beat Myanmar 2-0 to take the soccer gold in Korat, securing their eighth consecutive SEA Games title.
Thailand went close in the first minute but Myanmar also had a couple of half-chances in a bright opening period.
The hosts took the lead just before the quarter-hour mark when forward Anon Sangsonoi burst through the middle and slammed his shot past Myanmar keeper Kyaw Zin Htet.
PHOTO: AFP
They doubled their advantage on 38 minutes when Teeratep Winothai headed home.
Myanmar, beaten 3-2 in the group stages by Thailand, continued to press but could not find a way through the Thai defense and tempers frayed following some robust challenges.
In the second half, Myanmar enjoyed periods of possession and their striker Si Thu Than was a constant threat, but they were unable to force the goal that they needed.
PHOTO: AFP
Thailand remained dangerous when going forward, continuing to create the better chances but failed to score a third.
"This gold medal takes all the pressure off because the whole country expected us to win," Thai coach Thongsuk Sampahangsit said.
Thongsuk, who said his second-half tactics had been to concentrate on defense and play on the counterattack, said: "I can't single out any outstanding player in this match but the senior players helped a lot."
"It was very difficult. They really wished to win this competition and they played at home and had a lot of experience," Myanmar coach Marcos Falopa said.
"My team had some U-20 and U-19 players in it but we are very proud to have participated in this competition," he said.
Earlier on Friday, Singapore secured third place in the soccer competition by thrashing Vietnam 5-0 with a hat-trick from Fazrul Nawaz.
Thailand last failed to win the SEA Games soccer title in 1991, when Indonesia won at the biennial games.
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