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Historic Victory: Philippines Stuns Thailand After 52 Years In Thrilling 2-1 Win
Photo credit: Philippine Men's National Football Team
It finally happened. After 52 long years, the Philippine men’s national football team defeated Thailand in a match for the ages, delivering a nail-biting 2-1 victory in the first leg of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The last time the Philippines triumphed over Thailand was in the 1972 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament. Fast forward to 2024, and history repeated itself in front of an electrified home crowd.
A Moment of Magic
The winning moment came in dramatic fashion. Center-back Kike Linares, filling in for suspended captain Amani Aguinaldo, became the unlikely hero. In the dying moments of the match, Linares delivered a diving header off Paul Tabinas' setup from a Zico Bailey free kick. The goal marked Linares’ first international score and sealed the long-awaited victory for the Philippines.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez. “This is not just a win; it’s a testament to the teamwork and resilience of our 26-man squad. They gave everything for the flag and country.”
An Intense Battle
The game started with a bang as midfielder Reyes smashed in a left-footed strike in the 21st minute, courtesy of a slick two-man buildup with Alex Monis. However, Thailand equalized just before halftime when Suphanan Bureerat capitalized on a fast counterattack, sending the teams into the break at 1-1.
The second half saw its fair share of heart-stopping moments. Thailand’s Suphanat Mueanta rattled the crossbar in the 47th minute, while Filipino goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad, stepping in for the injured Neil Etheridge, showcased nerves of steel with clutch saves despite sustaining a knock late in the match.
The breakthrough came in the final minutes, with Linares’ goal sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
“We Never Gave Up”
After the game, head coach Albert Capellas couldn’t contain his pride. “This team fights. They fight so much for this country. It was a hard game, but the boys showed resilience and heart.”
Man of the Match Reyes echoed the sentiment. “We’ve been through so much—tough games, tough moments—but we never lost hope. This win shows how far we’ve come, but the job isn’t done yet.”
Eyes on the Finals
The Philippines will face Thailand again on December 30 for the second leg in Bangkok. A win or draw there would send the Azkals to their first-ever ASEAN championship finals.
“This is just the beginning,” Capellas reminded his team. “We’ve done half the job, but we need to finish it.”
Meanwhile, PFF President Gutierrez called on the Filipino community in Bangkok to rally behind the team. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Philippine football. Let’s fill the stands and cheer them on!”
For now, the Miracle in Manila stands as a testament to the grit and determination of the Philippine team, a victory etched into the history books and the hearts of Filipino fans everywhere.
The last time the Philippines triumphed over Thailand was in the 1972 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament. Fast forward to 2024, and history repeated itself in front of an electrified home crowd.
A Moment of Magic
The winning moment came in dramatic fashion. Center-back Kike Linares, filling in for suspended captain Amani Aguinaldo, became the unlikely hero. In the dying moments of the match, Linares delivered a diving header off Paul Tabinas' setup from a Zico Bailey free kick. The goal marked Linares’ first international score and sealed the long-awaited victory for the Philippines.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez. “This is not just a win; it’s a testament to the teamwork and resilience of our 26-man squad. They gave everything for the flag and country.”
An Intense Battle
The game started with a bang as midfielder Reyes smashed in a left-footed strike in the 21st minute, courtesy of a slick two-man buildup with Alex Monis. However, Thailand equalized just before halftime when Suphanan Bureerat capitalized on a fast counterattack, sending the teams into the break at 1-1.
The second half saw its fair share of heart-stopping moments. Thailand’s Suphanat Mueanta rattled the crossbar in the 47th minute, while Filipino goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad, stepping in for the injured Neil Etheridge, showcased nerves of steel with clutch saves despite sustaining a knock late in the match.
The breakthrough came in the final minutes, with Linares’ goal sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
“We Never Gave Up”
After the game, head coach Albert Capellas couldn’t contain his pride. “This team fights. They fight so much for this country. It was a hard game, but the boys showed resilience and heart.”
Man of the Match Reyes echoed the sentiment. “We’ve been through so much—tough games, tough moments—but we never lost hope. This win shows how far we’ve come, but the job isn’t done yet.”
Eyes on the Finals
The Philippines will face Thailand again on December 30 for the second leg in Bangkok. A win or draw there would send the Azkals to their first-ever ASEAN championship finals.
“This is just the beginning,” Capellas reminded his team. “We’ve done half the job, but we need to finish it.”
Meanwhile, PFF President Gutierrez called on the Filipino community in Bangkok to rally behind the team. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Philippine football. Let’s fill the stands and cheer them on!”
For now, the Miracle in Manila stands as a testament to the grit and determination of the Philippine team, a victory etched into the history books and the hearts of Filipino fans everywhere.
Dec 28, 2024
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