The Philippines is back in the ASEAN Championship semifinals.
On Saturday, the Philippine Men’s National Football Team claimed victory as it defeated Indonesia, 1-0, in front of the Indonesian crowd at the Manahan Stadium in Surakarta.
The Philippines was one man down early after goalkeeper Patrick Deyto was injured after a tackle from behind at around the fourth minute. Quincy Kammeraad eventually replaced him.
After a goalless first half, it took around twenty minutes before Bjorn Kristensen converted at the 63rd minute after a long VAR check at a possible penalty.
Uriel Dalapo almost doubled the Philippines’ goal, while Jarvey Gayoso’s late attempt was denied.
Eleven more minutes were added to the match but the Philippines held on to claim its first win in the tournament.
Kristensen’s goal was enough for the Philippines to claim three points and finish second behind Group B leader Vietnam (3-1-0) in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup. The Philippines finished the group stage with a 1-3-0 win-draw-loss card and a total of six points.
Indonesia, meanwhile, ended up with a 1-1-2 record to finish third. Only the top two teams of each group will advance to the semifinals.
The win also came just in time for the Philippines after three 1-1 draws against Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.
PMNFT will play Group A leader Thailand in the semis on December 27 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, and another one on December 30 in Bangkok.
The Philippines last made it to the ASEAN Championship semis in 2018.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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