peso 888 Up next for PH booters: tournament’s most successful squad

Bjorn Kristensen (No. 10) celebrates his game-defining goal. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PFF

The Philippine men’s football team is set to take on defending champions Thailand in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals, following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Indonesia.

Ajay Banga spoke to Agence France-Presse at the development lender’s headquarters in Washington ahead of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, which begin on Monday, October 21.

The two-legged semifinal begins on Dec. 27 at Rizal Memorial Stadium, with the return leg scheduled for Dec. 30 in Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium.

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The win against Indonesia marked the Philippines’ return to the tournament’s final four for the first time since 2018. Bjorn Kristensen’s second-half penalty secured the victory, with outstanding contributions from goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad and captain Amani Aguinaldo, who led a disciplined defensive effort.

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Thailand, the tournament’s most successful team with seven titles, remains a formidable opponent.

Resilience

The Thais topped Group A with a perfect record, showcasing the form that earned them back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2022. Their consistency and depth will pose a tough challenge for the Filipinos, who are seeking to reach the final for the first time in their history.

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And Aguinaldo knows just how much of an uphill climb the Filipinos face.

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“The Thais, they want to win the tournament every time,” said the ace defender.

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Coach Albert Capellas’ squad showed resilience throughout the group stage, overcoming setbacks, including injuries and tight draws against Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. Kammeraad, stepping in for the injured Patrick Deyto against Indonesia, delivered a heroic performance, making critical saves to preserve the team’s lead.

Kristensen’s decisive goal, his second penalty conversion of the tournament, highlighted the Philippines’ ability to capitalize on key moments. However, the team will need to sharpen their attack and maintain composure against Thailand’s experienced roster.

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The upcoming semifinal represents an opportunity for the Philippines to build on their best-ever performances in the regional competition. With home-field advantage in the first leg, the team hopes to set the tone before heading to Bangkok. —INQUIRER SPORTS

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