THE Philippines starts its upset bid in the semifinals of the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup vs. Thailand on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The first match of the two-leg semifinals will kick off at 9 p.m.
PMNT advanced to the semifinals of the biennial football tournament for the first time in six years after finishing second in Group B with six points (1-3-0 win-draw-loss). It defeated Indonesia, 1-0, last Saturday to arrange a semis duel with the Thais, the tournament's reigning kings.
Philippines head coach Albert Capellas knows the arduous task of overcoming the War Elephants, who went undefeated in four matches in Group A, but will come in with a winning attitude, promising to give the Southeast Asian giant a fight.
“We have this rule that the most important game is the next game and we will not change that. We always attack the games, we always prepare (for) the games, believing that we can win,” said Capellas.
“We know that Thailand is a very strong opponent, but we will take the same mentality, what we always do,” the Spanish coach added. “This is the way that we prepare this game, exactly in the same way that all the other games.”
In order for the Philippines to have a chance, Capellas said PMNT must play with composure amid expected physicality in the match-up.
“The first lesson is that if we want to win these big games, we have to end the games with 11 players. That is very important because there are very tight games and it’s important that we end up with all the squad until (stoppage time). That’s one learning lesson,” Capellas said.
“Another learning lesson is that (when) we play against a very good team, we really have to do a god job and we have to do it together,” said Capellas.
Santi Rublico joins PMNT for semis
The Philippines got a boost, as midfielder/forward Santi Rublico joined the squad for the semis after being released by his Spanish club team Collado Villalba.
Rublico’s entry makes up for the absence of Patrick Reichelt, who has retired from the national team after the group stage of the ASEAN Cup.
“We knew that he only could join us if we reach the semifinals. We are very happy that the club allowed us to let Santi join us. Now, he is part of the group. He knows all the players, all the system, knows me very well, and he has the same chances that all the other players to get minutes,” said Capellas.
The second and final leg of the semis will be on Sunday at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
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