PMNT returns to ASEAN Cup semis after beating Indonesia

December 23 ------ FOR the first time in six years, the Philippines is in the semifinals of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup. After three draws that could have easily been victories, the Nationals finally captured that elusive win in the tournament, beating Indonesia, 1-0 at the Manahan Stadium in Surakarta to send them to the final four of the biennial football competition.

Bjorn Kristensen scored a penalty kick in the 63rd minute for the Philippines, which finally held on to the lead until the final whistle against a 10-man Indonesia squad, making up for the three tough results for the team that saw them give up late goals in two of the third matches in the group stage. The heartbreaks were eventually worth it as it finished the group stage in second place with six points (1-3-0 win-draw-loss) in Group B, with the Philippines finally getting past the group stage and reaching the semifinals of the ASEAN Cup, formerly known as the Suzuki Cup, for the first time since 2018.

The Philippines faces Group A winner and Southeast Asia giant Thailand in the semifinals, a two-legged affair that will begin on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The second leg is on December 30 in Thailand. Quincy Kammeraad also had a solid showing as the Philippines goalkeeper with six saves, coming in early to replace Patrick Deyto in the ninth minute due to an injury.

The Philippines also took advantage after Muhammad Ferrari was issued a red card in the 42nd minute due to a skirmish inside the box between Philippines defender Amani Aguinaldo. PMNT was awarded a penalty after a VAR confirmed a handball against Dony Tri Pamungkas inside the box on the cross by Paul Tabinas. Kristensen went for a straight-away shot for his second goal of the tournament. A shot by Indonesia’s Ronaldo Joybera went straight into the hands of Kaameraad to highlight his showing between the sticks for the Philippines.

PMNT has also won against Indonesia in the ASEAN Championship for the first time since its 4-0 victory in 2014 in Vietnam. The two teams drew in 2016 and 2018, but PH lost, 1-2, in the 2022 edition. The Philippines, however, will face a daunting task in the semifinals against reigning champion Thailand, which swept all of its four group stage matches to top Group A.

Source: spin.ph