photo from the Philippine Men’s National Football Team
article by Kevin Estrada
Thailand survived an uprising by the Philippine Men’s National Football Team with a 3-1 second-leg semifinal win Monday evening in Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium.
The War Elephants needed extra time to settle an ASEAN Championship classic, overturning their stinging defeat last Friday in Rizal Memorial Stadium to get into the final, 4-3 on aggregate.
Masatada Ishii’s side will have another go-around with Vietnam, with their shot at an unprecedented third consecutive Mitsubishi Electric Cup still alive after this thriller.
Despite the heartbreaking exit, Albert Capellas’ outfit had overachieved since he took over three months ago.
The Philippines had fired the warning shot fifteen minutes in, when Jarvey Gayoso’s chance was cleared off the line by Pansa Henviboom.
With a sense of urgency, Thailand responded with a flurry of chances to test Quincy Kammeraad, only for the visiting shot-stopper to frustrate them every time.
However, the hosts had a 37th-minute breakthrough, thanks to skipper Peeradon Chamratsamee, who fired in a tightly-angled shot from near the six-yard box.
The equalizer came amidst some controversy whether Seksan Ratree’s cross came a bit too late as the ball went out of the byline, but nevertheless the goal stood without any further review.
Eventually, Patrik Gustavsson then shoved the Thais ahead nine minutes after the restart.
After being picked out by Weerathep Pomphun at the midfield, the forward hit a clinical finish past Kammeraad, with the Video Assistant Referee confirming the goal after Paul Tabinas put him onside.
As their tournament hopes were hanging by a thread, the Filipinos had to defend a Changsuek onslaught looking to settle the semifinal, but the pack mentality of the street hounds eventually bore fruit in the 84th minute.
Forward Bjørn Martin Kristensen brought joy to the away section of Rajamangala, firing in a low shot from outside of the box to level the tie.
The Philippines could have snatched the ticket to the final at the stroke of full time, but Amani Aguinaldo and Jarvey Gayoso missed three point-blank chances, the first two were saved by Patiwat Khammai.
Those missed chances came to haunt them in the extra time, where Thailand had found their second wind but could not find the net.
However, Suphanat Mueanta came to the rescue with just four minutes left. Coming on as a 98th-minute substitute, he headed home a cross from Worachit Kanitsribampen to settle a dramatic contest.
THAILAND: Patiwat (GK), Pansa, Chalermsak (Khemdee 78’), Supachok, Peeradon © (Akarapong 63’), Gustavsson (Teerasak 63’ (Worachit 77’)), Mickelson, Davis, Weerathep (Suphanat 98’), Suphanan, Seksan (Weidersjoe 90+4’)
PHILIPPINES: Kammeraad (GK), Ugelvik (Linares 51’ (Woods 87’)), Tabinas, Reyes, Baldisimo (Rontini 51’), Gayoso (Kekkonen 90’), Aguinaldo ©, Monis, Bailey, Kempter, Mariona (Kristensen 73’)