The Philippines marked another historic day in football as the under-22 men’s national football team (PMNFT) advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, defeating reigning gold medalist Indonesia, 1-0, on Monday in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
With the victory—and their earlier 2-0 triumph over Myanmar last Friday—the Philippines swept Group C with six points and secured its first semifinal berth since 1991.
Nineteen-year-old center-forward Otu Banatao, the exciting prospect raised in Virginia and representing the province of Cagayan, delivered the match-winning moment right before halftime.
The header was his fifth goal of the year and sent the Philippines through to its first SEA Games final four since Bacolod legend Nonoy Fegidero fired the fabled semis-clinching goal at Rizal Memorial Stadium more than three decades ago.
“Tonight, we celebrate victory and we affirm our history. All of these are the collective efforts not only of the current players, staff, and management, but all those who contributed for Philippine football, past and present,” said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez.
“But the journey is far from over. We have to aim for a medal,” he added.
The match began with Indonesia pressing early, but goalkeeper Nic Guimaraes immediately stamped his presence with crucial interventions.
In the 22nd minute, he punched out a dangerous free kick from Dony Pamungkas, while two minutes later Dylan Demuynck nearly put the Philippines ahead with a running shot from the left flank that was blocked by Indonesian defender Kadek Priyatna.
At the 28th minute, Guimaraes denied a long-range rocket from Muhammad Ferrari, and in the 44th minute he stopped a threatening run from Muhammad Rayhan Hannan inside the box.
The breakthrough arrived in added time of the first half.
Off a long throw from the left side by Gabriel Guimaraes, the ball bounced high inside the box. Banatao anticipated the play perfectly, nodded the ball in, and sent the Filipino crowd in Chiang Mai into celebration in the 45+2’ mark.
Indonesia attempted to rally in the second half, with substitute Rahmar Arjuna Reski beating Santi Rublico on a 1v1 at the 53rd minute but sending the shot skyward.
Two minutes later, Sandro Reyes nearly doubled the lead with an outside attempt that grazed the top-right corner of the goal.
The match’s intensity continued as Rafael Struick, intent at equalizing the game for Indonesia, missed a counterattacking opportunity in a 3v2 situation in the 60th minute, followed by a Jax Peña run and shot that Priyatna again blocked at the 65th.
Ten minutes later, Nic Guimaraes stopped a 30-yard volley from Ivar Jenner to preserve the narrow advantage.
Despite Indonesia’s increasing pressure, PMNFT displayed tactical composure and disciplined defending for the remainder of the match, capped by another Guimaraes save in the 90+1’ minute, this time from a back-heel attempt by Jenner off a long throw.
PMNFT head coach Garrath McPherson commended both teams and highlighted the squad’s mentality and resilience in securing the result.
“They’re a very good team. And they pushed us to our limits. I’m very happy for the character shown by our team. I feel that the attitude and mentality amongst the group is something that sets them apart. Without that attitude and without that mentality, the result today may have been different,” McPherson said.
“Indonesia—you can see their quality out there. They made it very tough for us. But we also have that quality. Our focus now is on enjoying some rest. We played two games very close together, so we now get to recharge mentally and physically, which will be nice,” McPherson, who steered PMNFT under-23 to its first ASEAN-level semis stint in last July’s Mandiri Cup, added.
Man of the Match Banatao echoed his coach’s sentiments, praising the Indonesian squad, particularly Priyatna and Ferrari, while expressing pride in the team’s achievement.
“We went through all these players in our team talk. We knew that yes, they have a strong side, but we also have quality. We can hang on with this team,” Banatao said. “To get a good result and put us through to Bangkok—it just feels like all the work, all the passion, it all paid off. I’m really happy that our team gets to go to Bangkok. And best of luck to Indonesia.”
With the group sweep complete, PMNFT will now travel to Bangkok for the SEA Games semifinals on December 15 at the Rajamangala Stadium.
The Philippine Football Federation congratulates the players, coaches, and staff for this milestone and calls on the entire nation to continue supporting the team as they aim for a historic podium finish.
