CAPAS, Tarlac – The Philippines’ quest for a return trip to the semifinals of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 suffered a huge setback after losing to regional powerhouse Thailand, 1-0, at home on Tuesday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.
Thailand scored late with Waris Choolthong scoring on a header in the 85th minute, and the War Elephants moved closer to securing a place in the semifinals to the disappointment of the 2,786 fans who made the trip to faraway New Clark City.
With the result, the Philippines dropped to its second loss in three matches for fourth place with three points (1-0-1 win-draw-loss), still outside the top two in the group, ahead of its final group stage match this weekend.
The Philippines is now in a must-win against Malaysia on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur, but its fortunes also rest on the number of goals it scores and the result of the other group stage match of the day between Thailand and Myanmar in Bangkok.
Thailand is on top of Group B with nine points (3-0-0 win-draw-loss), followed by Malaysia and Myanmar with six points, but with Malaysia in second place due to its 2-1 win against Myanmar.
The Philippines failed to repeat its last home game against Thailand where it won, 2-1. in the first leg of the semifinals on a late goal by Kike Linares on added time at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on December 27, 2024.
PMNT looked headed for the next best result, a draw, but couldn’t hold on in the final minutes.
The chances were there
A cross by Picha Autra landed into an unmarked Waris, whose header to the bottom left corner of the goal got past PMNT goalkeeper Patrick Deyto for the breakthrough goal.
PMNT missed a golden opportunity in the 42nd minute when Gavin Muens had an open shot inside the box off a free kick by Sandro Reyes but Muens shot sailed high over the cross bar.
PMNT played conservatively afterwards in the second half in search of that one point but Thailand finally found a way to score amid the damp field conditions that affected the War Elephants’ play.
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