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| Sandro Reyes jocks for position against Thitathorn Auksornsri. PFF |
MANILA—Kike Linares delivered right at the death as the Philippine Men's National Football Team scored its biggest win in the modern era, stunning Thailand, 2-1, in the first leg of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Cup semifinals on Friday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Linares scored on a header off a free kick right in the final attack of the PMNFT to the delight of a huge majority of 7,116 fans at the pitch.
Sandro Reyes first sent the crowd into a frenzy when he launched a long-range attack off an Alex Monis feed in the 21st minute to put the PMNFT ahead.
However, Suphenan Bureerat converted on a counterattack in the 45th minute to equalize and give Thailand a crucial away goal.
Thailand had a golden opportunity to take the lead, but an early second-half attempt hit the crossbar to the relief of Quincy Kammeraad.
And then the Linares moment came right on the 14th anniversary of the "Miracle in Hanoi" that helped send the PMNFT to the 2010 semis of the tournament formerly known as the AFF Suzuki Cup as the Filipinos beat the Thais for the first time in an official FIFA match since 1972.
Zico Bailey sent a free kick to a streaking Paul Tabinas, who then headed the ball to Linares for the match winner.
Thailand was given some more time to try to steal the draw, but their last effort went straight to Quincy Kammeraad, who kept the ball in his hands before the referee blew the final whistle.
Both teams will face off again on Monday night at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok with the PMNFT only needing at least a draw to clinch the series.
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