Needing just a goal to pull through the finals for the first time in tournament history, the Azkals’ legs fell underneath them and faltered to a 0-3 result against the War Elephants, under the immense pressure at a hostile environment inside the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.
An early goal by Chanathip Songkrasin, followed by a second-half brace by Kroekit Thawikan ensured the Thai’s safe passage into the final round, where they aim to wrest their fourth crown – a first after 12 years of futility.
Chanathip opened the scoring as he struck the ball with his left boot past Philippines goalkeeper Patrick Deyto in the sixth minute to errupt a frenzy inside the stadium.
Despite having a hard time preparing for the match due to the numerous death threats sent to the team’s members, the Azkals tried to push forward but their attempts at finding the back of the net went futile.
Early in the second half, Kroekit doubled Thailand’s lead with a close-range missile in the 57th minute to give them one foot in the door of the finals.
But as time slowly melted away, frustrations mounted for the Azkals when Martin Steuble – already whistled for a yellow card in the first half – merited a second yellow in the 82nd minute for his early exit from the match with eight minutes left in regulation.
With the Azkals down two goals and reduced to 10 men, the blue-clad Thais found the opening to deliver the knockout blow in the form of Kroekit’s second goal in the 86th minute to send the Philippines packing.
The result gave the Azkals a disappointing end to their best campaign in tournament history, where they have yet to score a goal after six semi-final round matches. Also, the Thailand nationals extend their over 40 years of mastery of the Philippines in international “A” competitions.
