T

he 10th edition of the ASEAN Football Championship (AFF) Cup more than lived up to expectations. It produced 65 goals in 18 matches during a month that enthralled Southeast Asian fans, even though Indonesia once again under-achieved.

As Thailand celebrates their fourth title after defeating Malaysia 4-3 on aggregate in the two-legged final, here are ESPN FC'€™s top five matches of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup.

5. Philippines 4 Indonesia 0, Hanoi, Nov. 25

At the 2002 AFF Championship, the Philippines leaked 13 goals against Indonesia in a humiliating group defeat in Jakarta, conceding twice in the first six minutes. They also lost 6-1 to Myanmar in the same tournament. How things have changed in a dozen years. This Group A game witnessed a dazzling attacking performance by the Azkals who booked their place in the semifinals, for the third straight time '€” with a game to spare '€” following a superb team performance. After Phil Younghusband'€™s first half penalty, Thomas Dooley'€™s side scored second half goals through Ott, Steuble and Gier to outmuscle and outclass the Merah Putih (a nickname for Indonesia).

4. Singapore 4 Myanmar 2, Singapore, Nov. 26

The eagerly anticipated Group B game saw the return of former Singapore tactician Radojko Avramovic to the Lion City '€” as Myanmar'€™s new head coach. And '€œRaddy'€ didn'€™t disappoint as he came up with the perfect strategy to help his under-supported side score two goals in seven second half minutes to peg back a 3-0 half-time deficit. Bernd Stange'€™s men were clearly flustered by Myanmar'€™s high pressing tactics but a Khin Maung Lwin own-goal in the 75th minute calmed home nerves as the Lions eased to victory.

3. Singapore 1 Malaysia 3, Singapore, Nov. 29

Everything seemed to be going to plan for the co-hosts as their final Group B game against Malaysia ticked past the 90th minute mark with the score standing a 1-1. That result would send the defending champions through to the knockout stages and eliminate their arch rivals from across the Causeway. But in the first minute of added time, Malaysia'€™s Amri Yahyah fell to the ground in the box after jumping for a cross and the Omani referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Safiq Rahim converted from the spot and Malaysia made sure of the win when Indra Putra Mahayuddin added a third in the 95th minute as Singapore poured forward in search of an equalizer.

2. Vietnam 2 Malaysia 4, Hanoi, Dec. 11

It looked like a lost cause for Malaysia as they travelled to the My Dinh Stadium for the second leg of the semifinal. Four days earlier, they'€™d lost 2-1 at the Shah Alam Stadium and were fortunate not to have conceded more goals in a match marred by bad behavior from a small section of home fans. But Dollah Salleh'€™s team played like men inspired on the road. A fourth minute penalty by Safiq Rahim got the Tigers off to a flying start. By half-time they led 4-1 with the likes of Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Norshahrul Talaha and Amri Yahyah ripping the inept Vietnamese defense apart in front of a stunned crowd of 40,000.

Toshiya Miura'€™s team pulled a goal back in the second half, but it was too little, too late, as Malaysia deservedly advanced to the final 5-4 on aggregate.

1. Malaysia 3 Thailand 2, Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 20

The second leg of the final had drama from start to finish as the experienced Malaysian side looked to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg against Kiatisuk Senamuang'€™s young and exciting War Elephants. Almost 100,000 fans at Bukit Jalil saw Safiq Rahim'€™s fourth successful spot kick of the tournament in the fifth minute provide the early goal that the home side so dearly wanted. An Indra Putra header on the stroke of the break made it 2-2 on aggregate and set up a second half to savor.

Safiq'€™s sublime free-kick just before the hour put the Malaysians ahead 3-2 overall before Thailand'€™s barnstorming finish produced two goals in the last 10 minutes. It was a gutsy, never-say-die effort '€” from a team with an average just age of 24 '€” making 41-year-old coach Kiatisuk the first man to win the Southeast Asian championship as a player and coach.