KIKE Linares scored in stoppage time as the Philippines stunned reigning two-time defending champion Thailand, 2-1, on Friday night in the first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Linares connected on a header in front of goal to give the Nationals the historic victory and a golden chance at making an unlikely finals appearance of the biennial football tournament of Southeast Asia heading to the return leg in Bangkok.
The win is being considered the first by the Philippines over Thailand in 52 years, with its previous victory coming in the 1972 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament.
The final leg of the semifinals will be held on Monday at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, where the Philippines will look to pull off the upset and reach the finals for the very first time in the competition.
The winner of the Philippines-Thailand semifinal will face either Vietnam or Singapore for the ASEAN Cup crown. Vietnam defeated Singapore, 2-0, on the road at the Jalan Besar Stadium, with the second leg to be played on Sunday at the Viet Tri Stadium.
Draw good enough for PMNT to advance
Ironically, the squad that started the tournament with three draws before beating Indonesia, 1-0, last Saturday to make it to the semifinals, will only need, at least, another stalemate to move on to the finals.
Thailand, on the other hand, needs to win by two or more goals for the War Elephants to take their customary place in the gold-medal match.
To pull off the victory, the Philippines had to survive nervy moments in the second half where Thailand dominated most of the possessions but was unable to convert on its shots.
The Nationals then took advantage as Linares scored his first goal as a national player on a set piece in the 95th minute.
A long free kick by Zico Bailey was headed back to the front of goal by Paul Tabinas for Linares, who beat two defenders and Thailand ‘keeper Patiwat Khammai to spark bedlam inside the Rizal stadium where 7,116 fans, most of them clad in blue Philippine colors, attended the match.
Sandro Reyes put the Albert Capellas-coached Philippines in position to win the match after scoring on a left-booted strike in the 21st minute just outside the penalty box.
Thailand, however, showed why it is a Southeast Asia giant in the sport as it was able to equalize on the 45th.
But the War Elephants couldn’t pounce on succeeding scoring chances, coming the closest on a left-footed shot by Peeradol Chamrasamee that went past Philippines goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad but rolled wide right by just inches in the 94th.
Moments later, the Philippines scored the winning goal.
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