Philippines nears historic Asean Cup finals stint with win over Thais

The Philippines celebrates after beating Thailand in the Asean Cup semifinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Enrique Linares scored a last-gasp goal to give the Philippine men’s football team a stunning 2-1 win over Thailand and the advantage after the first leg of their Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinal clash Friday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Linares’ all-important goal came near the end of the five-minute stoppage time when he headed the winner off Paul Tabinas’ ball that came from Zico Bailey’s free kick, sending most of the 7,100 fans in a frenzy.

Coach Albert Capellas’ side held on for a famous victory, the first against the War Elephants since the 1972 Jakarta Cup. and in a good position to secure a first-ever final with a favorable result in the return leg set Monday at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium.

READ: Philippines stuns Indonesia, advances to Asean Cup semifinals

The Philippines must get at least a draw to advance, but a loss by two goals will end any hopes of fulfilling that ambition.

Two extra time periods will have played, however, if the tie ends in a draw as the away goals rule is no longer applicable for knockout stage of this year’s competition.

Vietnam holds the advantage over Singapore in the other semifinal fixture after the two-time winner’s 2-0 victory in Thursday’s opening leg at the Lion City.

READ: Asean Cup: PH concedes late goal to Vietnam, settles for draw anew

It is also the Philippines’ first win against Thailand in the tournament that began in 1996, with its previous best results came in a scoreless tie in the 2014 semifinal first leg at Rizal Memorial and a 1-1 draw in the 2018 group stage at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

Linares’ winner came after the Philippines went on top on Sandro Reyes’ left-footed strike in the 21st minute, only for that to be negated by Suphanan Bureerat’s equalizer off a counterattack.

The Philippine defense, led by goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad and substitute Scott Woods, kept the scoreline till the end of normal time as Thailand couldn’t come up with a second goal off countless opportunities.

Their industrious play at the back eventually paid off when Linares came through for the home side.