The Asean Football Federation (AFF) will discuss possible sanctions against Thailand before the match at Bangkok's national stadium, where fans will be guarded by 300 police and barred from carrying bottled drinks.

Thailand's team manager, Thavatchai Sajakul, held a joint press conference with Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic to call for fans to behave.

"I hope to see a hospitable crowd in the stadium for our visitors," Thavatchai said.

"I like to say that football is a sport which aims to bring people together and create close cooperation," added Avramovic.

Thailand were drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Singapore when Malaysian referee C. Ravichandran awarded a dubious penalty, prompting shambolic scenes as the visitors stormed off the pitch and refused to play.

Mustafic Fahrudin converted the spot kick when order was restored.

Diplomatic problems have also given the match added tension.

Thais were outraged when Singapore's state investment arm bought telecoms giant Shin Corp in a controversial tax-free deal from the family of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a September coup.

Bilateral ties soured further when Thaksin met Singapore Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar last month, drawing protests from Thailand's military leadership.

However, Major General Vanich Surapholchai from the Thai metropolitan police was confident Thai supporters would not target the 2,000 Singapore fans expected to travel.

"They will sit in a different corner. I am sure that Thai fans are disciplined enough to differentiate between sports and politics," Vanich said.

The Thai Football Association said some 30,000 tickets sold out within a few hours on Saturday.

Agence France-Presse