The Philippine men’s national football team ended 52 years of Thai supremacy over them, edging the defending seven-time ASEAN champion and world number 97 Thailand on the last possession, 2-1, in the Manila leg of the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The last time the Philippines defeated Thailand was way back in the 1972 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament.
Center back Kike Linares, who replaced suspended captain Amani Aguinaldo in the back third, was the surprise scorer of the winning goal–a diving header off Paul Tabinas’ header assist from a Zico Bailey free kick, his first in eleven international caps.
“Congratulations to National Teams Director Fred Gonzalez and Coach Albert Capellas and his staff, and special congratulations to the hardworking players. The victory proves that this is not just an eleven-man squad; this is a 26-man strong team. The reason our men won this historic game is because of their teamwork and their willingness to step up and give their all for the flag and country,” said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez.
“The Federation, the management, the coaches believe in each and every one of them. Yes, we are all happy for this win and we congratulate our national team squad for achieving this, but we know deep in our hearts that they are prepared for this, that they are capable of facing and defeating Thailand,” Gutierrez continued.
“The resilience of this group is really great,” National Teams Director Fred Gonzalez said of the squad. “I feel really happy for the boys because these guys really worked their tails off the whole game. All credit goes to them,” Gonzalez reiterated.
The Philippines was eager at defending home turf early in the game, as midfield wizard Reyes scored an early power goal in the 21st minute off his left foot in a two-man buildup with Alex Monis. It was Reyes second goal of the tournament and third in international play.
The Thais, however, seized an erratic Filipino corner piece and sprinted on a 4v2 counterattack, with Suphanan Bureerat leaving Santi Rublico and scoring in the 45th minute off a Patrik Gustavsson right cross to end the first half.
The Philippines had an early second half scare, with Suphanat Mueanta’s 47th minute strike hitting the crossbar.
After off-target tries by Rublico and Monis from the wings, goalkeeper Kammeraad, starting in place of the injured Deyto, fell down in the 74th minute after gathering a Thai cross.
Still, the hobbled Kammeraad managed to dodge two bullets as open shots from Worachit Kanitribumphen and Peeradol Chamrasamee were off target, leading to the set piece that resulted in Linares’ winner followed by another Kammeraad save on Thailand’s final possession.
“We never lost hope, because this team, they are fighters. They fight so much for this country,” Capellas remarked.
Reyes, named Man of the Match, that the team’s “suffering” experienced in the group stage, where they had three winnable draws, pushed the team to play better.
We found a way to get out of all those hurdles. We went through hell and we came out,” Reyes explained.
“And today, we’ve got something… And I think at many chances, they were putting pressure on us. We couldn’t keep the ball. It was very difficult. We were very tired. But we got out [of the suffering] and scored the last-minute goal.
“To beat them shows how far we’ve come [but] I don’t think even the job is halfway done. We have a really good second leg coming up. And we want to play a final here. So we’ll give everything to play that final,” concluded the 21-year-old, who acted as vice-captain in place of the recently retired Patrick Reichelt.
The Philippines, ranked 53 places below Thailand, will bat for a first-ever ASEAN men’s championship finals on the Bangkok leg of the semifinals on Rizal Day.
With this, Capellas reminded his team not to rest on their laurels despite tonight’s win.
“It’s only one game. I know it’s a very important game, very special for everybody, for the country, for the fans, for everybody. But in our way of thinking, we only have done half a job. We say we have it right here and we don’t want to stop,” Capellas ended.
Gutierrez, meanwhile, encouraged the Filipino community in Bangkok to cheer for the visiting national team.
“To our kababayans in Bangkok, this is our best chance to achieve one of our biggest milestones in Philippine football. Our men’s team is on the verge of making the ASEAN finals and they need all the support of our compatriots in Thailand. We hope to see you on the 30th,” Gutierrez encouraged.
