Manila: Enrique Linares scored a 95th-minute winner as the Philippines edged reigning champions Thailand 2-1 in the first leg of their ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 semi-final clash at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Friday.
Sandro Reyes’ opening goal for the home side was cancelled out by Suphanan Bureerat just before the break, but the Philippines, searching for their first-ever title, secured a famous victory when centre-back Linares headed home following a free-kick in the final seconds of the contest.
Philippines were without their suspended captain Amani Aguinaldo while 23-year-old Quincy Kammeraad guarded their goal as he continued to deputise for Patrick Deyto, who went off injured in their 1-0 defeat of Indonesia in the final group fixture.
As for Thailand, their title credentials were further strengthened by the return of attacking midfielder Supachok Sarachat, who recovered from a hamstring injury to make his first international appearance since June.
But it was the hosts who began brightly in Manila as they saw more of the ball and tested Thai goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai in the ninth minute when Reyes won possession in the final third and fired from inside the box.
Thailand’s first chance arrived in the 19th minute when an unmarked Akarapong Pumwiset failed to get enough purchase on his header from a Suphanat Mueanta cross, allowing Kammeraad to collect comfortably.
The Filipinos went ahead two minutes later as Alex Monis tried to make space in the box for a shot but had to return the ball to Reyes, who found the top corner from outside the area with his left foot to make it 1-0.
Albert Capellas’ side remained largely in control after going ahead but the Thais snatched an equaliser at the stroke of half-time through a quick counter-attack following a Philippines corner.
Supachok and then Suphanat drove forward with the ball before the latter released Patrik Gustavsson, who crossed it in for the arriving right-back Suphanan to score and restore parity right before the break.
Thailand almost went ahead less than two minutes after the restart as Suphanat cut in from the left and rattled the crossbar before Supachok’s follow-up effort sailed over the goal.
The home side’s shouts for a penalty were then waved away by the referee after Bjorn Kristensen hit the floor under a challenge from Saringkan Promsupa at the edge of the box before Gustavsson and Akarapong went close at the other end in a frenetic start to the second half.
The War Elephants dominated the second period but they had to wait until the 82nd minute to create another chance of note.
Suphanan’s cross into the box was headed by Teerasak Poeiphimai onto the path of Akarapong who only had Kammeraad to beat, but saw his volley stopped by the Philippines goalkeeper before Worachit Kanitsribampen failed to hit the target on the rebound.
Captain Peeradon Chamratsamee almost grabbed a very late winner for Masatada Ishii's side as his low drive from distance brushed the outside of the post on its way out in the second minute of the second-half stoppage time, though it was at the other end that the drama unfolded.
With the game heading for a draw, the Philippines won a free-kick when William Weidersjo shoved Christian Rontini to the floor from a goal kick allowing Zico Bailey to launch the set-piece deep into the Thailand box five minutes into the added period.
The delivery was met by Philippines right-back Paul Tabinas who headed it back across the goal for Linares, who plies his trade in the Thai top division, to head home from close range and give his side the upper hand in the last-four clash.
The two teams will meet again in the second leg at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Monday.
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