Philippine men’s national football team (PMNFT) managed by interim coach Norman Fegidero was in a good position to beat Malaysia on their home turf but the Harimau Malaya came from behind and scored a 2-1 semifinals win on Wednesday’s Merdeka Cup semis in Kuala Lumpur.
PMNFT, showed steadiness in possession and formidability on defense the entire 90 minutes despite what seemed to be two missed penalty calls for Patrick Reichel and Sandro Reyes.
“I’m very happy to my players that they put up a very good fight until the final whistle,” said interim coach Norman Fegidero.
From the get go, the Philippines had the early cracks on goal–a running shot on goal by Dylan DeMuynck in the first possession that was saved by the Malaysian keeper and a potential penalty call on a tackle on Patrick Reichelt inside the box–until left back Jefferson Tabinas scored his first international goal from the left flank in the 27th minute.
“Our plan is to get a goal early to get the lead. We had a good chance in the very first minute of the game. We had another good chance but what we saw was a clear penalty. That we could not control,” Fegidero continued.
It was a delightful moment for the Filipinos but the Malaysians replied with a 19-yard shot on top of the goal by Mohammad Syamer off a right corner set piece.
Malaysia got the winning goal in the 73rd minute via a penalty kick by Muhammad Safawi after Matthew Baldisimo fouled a streaking Arif Aiman inside the Philippine box.
The Philippines missed another penalty call after Safawi tackled Sandro Reyes inside Malaysia’s box in the 86th minute while Jarvey Gayoso was an inch from heading in the ball from JB Borlongan’s right cross during stoppage time.
Christian Rontini had the last attempt to tie the game in the final possession but his shot from Michael Baldisimo’s free kick was wide left.
“The boys have given their best and played great football, we commend them, Coach Norman, the ,” Coaching staff and Dir.Fred Gonzalez for a good job,” commented Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez.
Fegidero, concurrently the men’s under-23 national team coach, is interim coach supported by the staff of the women’s national team led by Mark Torcaso.
Absent from the team are key players such as Adrian Ugelvik, John-Patrick Strauss, and Zico Bailey due to injuries while Santi Rublico and Kevin Ingreso skipped the tournament.
“It comes as no suprise that our men’s team is a formidable opponent. They have showed that trademark Pinoy grit, that hunger to win, that we are always a threat against higher-ranked opponents. Hats off to all our players and to our interim coaching staff. We will build from this new chapter in our men’s team,” Gutierrez concluded.
The Philippines, ranked 147 in the world, will next meet world number 103 Tajikistan on Sunday’s Battle for Third.
