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Who will make AFF Suzuki Cup semis from Group B's three-way battle?

Three of Southeast Asian football's traditional powerhouses are still in the running to reach the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 semifinals, but only two will make it.

Having been labelled the tournament's "Group of Death" when the draw was back in September, Group B has lived up to expectations with reigning champions Vietnam, 2018 finalists Malaysia and four-time runners-up Indonesia all still in the hunt for a last-four berth heading into the final match day.

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Just how did it get to this thrilling final day of the group stage? And who's likely to go through?

Here, we examine each team's chances of advancing to the Suzuki Cup semis.

Indonesia (1st in Group B, 7 points, goal difference of +6)

The Indonesians were Group B's third-seeded team so the fact that they currently find themselves top of the table is certainly a positive.

Having sat out the opening round of games, victories over Laos and then Cambodia were vital in them keeping pace with the group's other two contenders -- but the most vital result came in their most recent outing.

Against a team widely regarded as the best in the region right now, Indonesia produced a plucky display to hold Vietnam to a 0-0 draw despite only enjoying 31 per cent of the possession.

The result leaves them in control of their own destiny. Avoid defeat to the Malaysians and they are through.

Vietnam (2nd in Group B, 7 points, goal difference of +5)

For all the hype surrounding Vietnam, their results have not suggested a team firing on all cylinders but that also means they still have improvement in them.

Following an opening 2-0 win over Laos, the Vietnamese issued their biggest statement of intent on Match Day 2 by beating Malaysia 3-0 in a rematch of the 2018 final

Despite the obvious disappointment of only getting a point despite dominating Indonesia on Wednesday, Vietnam remain in the strongest position out of the three to march on into the semis.

As long as Vietnam avoid defeat to already-eliminated Cambodia, they will advance. But given the opposition they will be up against, the expectations placed on the defending champions and the benefit of finishing top and avoiding the Group A winners in the semis, Vietnam should be going all out for a big win.

Malaysia (3rd in Group B, 6 points, goal difference of +3)

Having been tipped as potential contenders, Malaysia have had a troubled campaign so far so it is perhaps credit to them that they could still make it out of the group stage.

Having opted to bring just 24 players to the tournament despite allowance of up to a 30-man squad, a spate of positive COVID-19 cases then left coach Tan Cheng Hoe with a team down to its bare bones. And the situation has not been helped with naturalised striker Guilherme openly displaying his dissatisfaction -- and directing his frustration at his own supporters -- after being substituted in their first match against Cambodia.

Most importantly, Harimau Malaya did win the two games they were expected to against the Cambodians and Laos, which means that -- despite losing to Vietnam -- all is not lost yet.

Like Indonesia, the team they come up against in a do-or-die clash on Sunday evening, Malaysia's fate remains in their own hands. Only a win will do for them though, although whether they still have enough in the tank after what has already been an arduous campaign is the big question.

Prediction: With all due respect to Cambodia, Vietnam should easily see them off. And with plenty to prove, they could even be determined to produce a dominant display.

Given the rich history between traditional rivals Indonesia and Malaysia, who emerges triumphant from that tie is anyone's guess. The Indonesians do however have the added insurance of a point being sufficient.

Malaysia have a habit of rising to the occasion but expect Vietnam climb into top spot with a comfortable win, with Indonesia doing enough to finish second and join them -- as well as Thailand and Singapore from Group A -- in the semifinals.