Filipino booters end 52-year drought vs Thais, near ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup finale

Sports

AFTER more than five decades, the Philippines finally defeated Thailand in international men’s football matches.

Banking on the heroics of Fil-Spaniard defender Kike Linares, the Philippine men’s football team shocked powerhouse Thailand, 2-1, in the first leg of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 semifinals on Friday night, December 27, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

Linares delivered the crucial goal in stoppage, sending more than 7,000 fans into frenzied celebration as the Nationals scored their first-ever victory over Thailand since the 1972 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament.

Sandro Reyes shoved the Philippine team ahead, 1-0, after finding the back of the net 21st minute. Thailand responded and the match looked headed to a draw when Suphanan Bureerat delivered the equalizer in the 45th minute.

Linares, however, came up with the thunderous goal, giving the Nationals a huge morale boost heading to the two teams’ second meeting for the second leg on Monday, December 30 at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

Team Philippines is gunning for history as another win against Thailand will send them to its first finals stint in this tournament.

The Nationals must at least get a draw to advance while the Thais must win by two goals.

Team Philippines came into the match with a 1-3-0 win-draw-loss record to grab the second seeding in Group B, enabling them to clinch a semifinal ticket for the first time in six years.

The other championship slot is being contested by Vietnam and Singapore.(CCM)