The Philippine Azkals AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals left Manila with burgeoning confidence after holding the heavily-favored Thailand side to scoreless draw last Saturday.
But four days later, the Azkals will return home with their quest for history unfulfilled after falling to the Thais, 0-3, in the second leg of their AFF Suzuki Cup showdown at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.
The Thais sent an early message with Chanathip Songkrasin giving the home team a 1-0 headstart before making a statement after Kroekrit Thawika delivering backbreaking goals – first in the 56th minute and his last coming in the 87th.
The Philippines, which finished as a semifinalist for the third straight time in the tournament, lamented its lost chances in the first leg but the Azkals hardly had any good looks this time and the Thais had their way.
Thailand will face Vietnam or Malaysia in the final.