Thailand will visit the Philippines on Dec. 27 with the second leg to be played in Bangkok on Dec. 30.

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The Philippine men’s national football team scored a victory against powerhouse Thailand for the first time in 52 years with a 2-1 victory in the first leg of the semifinals of the Asean 2024 Mitsubishi Electric Cup Friday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Philippines scored an early goal courtesy of Sandro Reyes in the 21st minute.

However, Thailand retaliated in the 45th minute as Suphanan Bureerat scored the equalizer.

Kike Linares then scored a late goal that allowed the Philippines to claim victory against the defending champs.

Thailand and Philippines will clash again on Monday at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

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After 52 long years

After 52 long years
Filipino players and fans (inset) celebrate the stunning win over the Thais at the Rizal Memorial pitch Saturday./ PFF Photos
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Philippines booters finally solve Thai puzzle

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MANILA, Philippines — It was the stuff of legend.

Two nights after Christmas, under the bright lights of the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium and surrounded by 7,116 roaring fans, the Philippines pulled off what’s not been done the last 52 years: beat regional football power Thailand.

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And the Filipinos accomplished this in the most dramatic fashion, firing a last-gasp winner that secured a famous 2-1 upset in Leg 1 of the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals that will forever be etched in memory.

Deep into the five-minute stoppage time and with a 1-1 standoff looming, the Filipinos delivered a well-executed set piece that started with Zico Bailey’s free kick from way outside to Paul Tabinas who headed it over to Kike Linares for the final attack – another header.

Linares, who took the spot of suspended Amani Aguinaldo in the Philippine defense in this game, dove and met Tabinas’ pass with his head and sent it home, sending the Rizal crowd into frenzy.

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Quincy Kammeraad made one final save and after the referee blew the final whistle, there was thunderous cheers and applause from every football fan who has waited to see the Philippines break out of Thailand’s stranglehold after incurring 19 losses and two draws over five decades.

The last time the country beat the Thais was way back in 1972 in the Jakarta Trophy, a 1-0 verdict.

The celebration in and around the stadium lasted past midnight.

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“Miracle in Manila,” some would quickly call this feat, which put the team in position to close it out in Monday’s return leg in Bangkok and clinch a historic trip to the finals with at least a draw.

But for the team, it’s a simple case of belief, perseverance and the Filipino fighting spirit.

“This group is a really resilient group and these guys never give up. Credit goes to the players, they fought ‘til the end,” said team manager Freddy Gonzalez.

The Pinoy booters really had to fight their way out of trouble in this high-stakes, high-pressure game.

Sandro Reyes put the hosts in front with a sublime left-foot strike in the 21st minute. But as the first half wound down, Suphanan Bureerat struck the equalizer off a counter for the visitors.

The Filipinos then survived a furious Thai assault in the second half before sealing it at the death.

“We played a very good 35 to 40 minutes against a very good team. In the second half we suffered more, conceded attempts that we shouldn’t have,” said coach Albert Capellas.

Olmin Leyba –
The Philippine Star

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