Sandro Reyes of the Philippines celebrates after scoring a goal against Thailand in the semifinals of the 2024 ASEAN Championship, December 27, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. PFF-PMNFT

Sandro Reyes of the Philippines celebrates after scoring a goal against Thailand in the semifinals of the 2024 ASEAN Championship, December 27, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila

2024 ASEAN Championship

Camille Naredo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1735312377123DSC06860.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sandro Reyes of the Philippines celebrates after scoring a goal against Thailand in the semifinals of the 2024 ASEAN Championship, December 27, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. PFF-PMNFT"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sandro Reyes of the Philippines celebrates after scoring a goal against Thailand in the semifinals of the 2024 ASEAN Championship, December 27, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. <em>PFF-PMNFT</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- The Philippines took a huge step towards a first-ever finals appearance in the ASEAN Championship with a stunning 2-1 triumph against Thailand, Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.</p><p>It marks the first time that the Philippine men&#x27;s national football team has ever beaten Thailand in the competition, having lost ten times and drawn twice to the Southeast Asian powerhouse, who are the holders of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup.</p><p>The historic result in the first leg of the 2024 semifinal gives the Philippines an advantage heading into the second leg, set for Monday, December 30, in Bangkok&#x27;s Rajamangala Stadium.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2024/12/22/ph-men-s-football-team-looks-forward-to-playing-at-home-for-asean-cup-semis-1757">READ: PH men&#x27;s football team looks forward to playing at home for ASEAN Cup semis</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/12/22/ph-football-team-make-first-asean-cup-semis-appearance-since-2018-0849">READ: PH Football Team make first ASEAN Cup semis appearance since 2018</a></div><p>Kike Linares was the hero for the Philippines, scoring five minutes into stoppage time to lift the home side to victory, just when it appeared as though the match was headed for a draw.</p><p>Off a free kick from Zico Bailey, Paul Tabinas headed the ball into the path of Linares, who guided the ball to the back of the net and triggered wild celebrations among the team and the Filipino fans in the historic stadium.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UMmkhD89Clk?&amp;ab_channel=ASEANUnitedFC&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>It was a fantastic result for the Filipinos, who had clawed their way to the semifinals with a hard-earned win against Indonesia in their final group round game. It also shattered the Thais&#x27; perfect record, as they had gone four-of-four in the group stage.</div><p>Rising star Sandro Reyes put the Philippines ahead for the first time in the 21st minute, coolly firing a left-footed missile from the edge of the box to give the Philippines a well-deserved lead.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L0FBYKxpgEo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>Unfortunately for the Filipinos, they could not keep the War Elephants in check as the half closed. Suphanan Bureerat finished off a transition attack by the visitors just as the first half came to an end, putting the match back on level terms as the teams returned to the locker rooms.</div><p>Thailand very nearly scored the go-ahead goal just two minutes after the restart after Suphanat Mueanta rattled the crossbar, while the Philippines were denied a penalty after Bjorn Kristensen went down at the edge of the box.</p><p>The War Elephants had their own chance in stoppage time through skipper Peeradon Chamratsamee, but the Philippines&#x27; defense held firm before they maximized a late opportunity when Christian Rontini was fouled by William Weidersjo.</p><p>Not only was this the Philippines&#x27; first win against Thailand in the tournament&#x27;s history, this was also their first triumph over their neighbors in 52 years. Not since the Jakarta Cup in 1972 had the Filipinos registered a win against the regional powerhouse.</p><p>The winner of the PH-Thailand semifinal will play the winner of the other semis match-up between Vietnam and Singapore. Vietnam won the first leg, 2-0, on Thursday, with the return leg set for Sunday.</p>

<p>The Philippines took a step towards a first-ever finals appearance in the ASEAN Championship with a stunning 2-1 triumph against Thailand, Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.</p>

The Philippines took a step towards a first-ever finals appearance in the ASEAN Championship with a stunning 2-1 triumph against Thailand, Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

PH men write new chapter in football history with stunning win vs. Thailand

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PH men write new chapter in football history with stunning win vs. Thailand

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 27, 2024 11:15 PM PHT

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Updated Dec 27, 2024 11:34 PM PHT

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ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024

2024 ASEAN Championship

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Philippine men's national football team

PMNFT

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