Surakarta: The Philippines have secured the Group B runner-up spot and an ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 semi-final berth following a 1-0 win over ten-man Indonesia on Saturday at Manahan Stadium.
Bjorn Kristensen’s 63rd-minute penalty was the match-winner, sending the Filipinos through to the final four for only the third time and first since 2018. A Muhammad Ferarri red card in the first half meant the Garuda had to play more than half the game with 10 men.
Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar could all have won the group heading into Saturday’s finales. Furthermore, all except Laos could still have reached the semi-finals, but it was the Filipinos who got the job done.
The Philippines, buoyed by their performance against Vietnam last time out, started the brightest. But a late challenge by Indonesia’s Rayhan Hannan on goalkeeper Patrick Deyto in the fourth minute took the sting out of any momentum. Deyto was stretchered off and replaced by Quincy Kammeraad.
It was a scrappy first 10 minutes or so and both teams were a tad rushed. It took both teams time to get a feel for the ball, slowing things down before they could move forward.
The first real chance of the game fell to the Philippines with around 20 minutes played. Bjorn Kristensen picked up a loose ball in the box and, after riding the challenge of Rafael Struick, sent an effort goalward but Cahya Supriadi beat the ball away to his left.
The Garuda’s first attempt on goal arrived on 25 minutes via a Marselino Ferdinan free-kick but Kammeraad produced a comfortable save.
The game had begun to open up a bit and Michael Kempter, finding space down the left, managed to send a shot goalward. On 30 minutes, Indonesia’s Arkhan Fikri had a go from some 25 yards out.
A better opportunity presented itself a few minutes later with Marselino attempting to finish off a slick passing move. The Garuda had begun to take flight with momentum swinging the other way.
On 38 minutes, Indonesia hit the post through Marselino whose effort was touched onto the woodwork with the outstretched left leg of Kammeraad.
But then, on 42 minutes a Ferarri red halted Indonesia in their tracks. The defender was adjudged to have lashed out at Amani Aguinaldo in the box and was given his marching orders.
After a couple of close calls at each end, the referee drew the first half to a close.
Ten-man Indonesia got the game back underway and the second half began in a similar fashion to the first - with plenty of gusto and intent from both teams.
Sandro Reyes skewed a shot just wide five minutes in before Alex Monis flashed a ball across the face of goal moments later. Marselino came close to finding the bottom corner on 52 minutes and Hokky Caraka came close on the counter on 54.
But then on 57 minutes, the Philippines were awarded a penalty when Paul Tabinas’ cross struck the arm of Hannan. After a long VAR check, Kristensen converted to make it 1-0, sending the ball down the middle.
As things stood, the Philippines were up to second in the group and heading for the semis. The visitors pushed for another and came very close on 82 minutes when Javier Gayoso rounded the keeper but Dony Pamungkas was able to get back and clear the ball off the line.
No fewer than 11 minutes were added on at the end of the match. It was 11 minutes of Indonesia trying to do all they could to salvage a draw. The Philippines held firm and secured the win.
With the group stage now concluded the semi-finals are all set. The Philippines will first host Thailand on Friday, December 27 before the return leg in Bangkok on Monday, December 30.
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