Manila: The first leg of the second semi-final of this year’s ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ will see the Philippines face off against Thailand at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Friday.
The Philippines remain unbeaten in the tournament but had a tough start after drawing 1-1 against Myanmar and Laos in their opening matches. Yet another 1-1 result against Vietnam followed in which they came very close to taking all three points, only to be denied by a 97th-minute equaliser.
In the decisive game away to Indonesia at the Manahan Stadium, Albert Capellas’ side produced another gritty performance. Bjorn Martin Kristensen kept his cool from 12 yards out for the winner, having also scored the equaliser from the penalty spot against Myanmar in their first game.
Now back on home soil at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, they will aim to take full advantage of the artificial pitch, something the Thai players aren’t used to playing on often.
Head coach Capellas has issued a rallying cry ahead of the crucial match asking the passionate fans to turn out and fill the stands to support the team in their first semi-final since 2018.
One of the players in that side and now the national team captain Amani Aguinaldo will be suspended for the first leg in a major blow for the Philippines. As such, defending from set pieces will be a crucial aspect of the game now with Adrian Ugelvik, Kike Linares and Christian Rontini needing to step up their game.
Another defender Santi Rublico, an Atletico Madrid youth academy product, has joined the squad ahead of this match. Goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad will also be key after putting in a Man of the Match performance on his senior national team debut as the Philippines’ first choice keeper Patrick Deyto has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with an injury.
Thailand, on the other hand, remain the competition’s only side with a 100% record intact winning four out of four matches including coming from behind in both their recent wins against Cambodia and Singapore.
With seven goal contributions already, which includes three goals and four assists, Suphanat Mueanta will be their dangerman while Patrik Gustavsson and Teerasak Poeiphimai have also been amongst the goals.
Supachok Sarachat hasn’t featured yet due to a hamstring injury but could make his first appearance of the tournament in this game in what could be a big boost for head coach Masatada Ishii.
Both teams faced each other two and a half months ago in the King’s Cup in their most recent meeting, with Thailand emerging 3-1 winners courtesy of a brace from Suphanat.
Overall, both nations have met 12 times in the ASEAN Championship with Thailand winning 10 of those while the other two matches ended in a draw, which also includes a victory over them across two legs in the 2014 semi-final.
The Philippines’ last win against Thailand in all competitions came 52 years ago and they will go into Friday’s match well aware that the Thais are strong favourites, but it’s a fresh slate and an opportunity to write a new story at the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024.
Philippines vs Thailand
Venue: Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila
Kick-off: 27 December, 9:00 PM (Local Time)
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