By: Gil Moriones
MANILA - The Thailand's crucial goal during the second Extra Time made 31,876 crowd in Rajamangala Stadium hailed on its feet as the War Elephants will officially bid for its 8th AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup title after beating the Philippines in the second leg semifinal of biennial tournament, 3-1 (4-3 on aggregate), night of Rizal day in Bangkok.
The 97th rank in the FIFA Rankings gritted their way to chase the title on its back-to-back fashion after Suphanat Mueanta, who came off from the bench, headed their go-ahead advantage in the 116th minute from the cross by Worachit Kanitsribumphen.
However, this match got the attention of the entire football community after Thailand's opening goal in the 37th minute by Peeradon Chamratsamee.
This referred to Seksan Ratree's cross which the ball was already out of the line leading to that opener that not reviewed and challenged by the VAR. Nevertheless, Thailand's first goal sparked debates and discussions all over social media tainted as controversy.
Thailand made equalized the aggregate score at 2-2 while leading not after Patrik Gustavsson's clinical finish at the 53rd minute to an uncontested ball rolled to the PMNFT's goalmouth, to lead the aggregate and put them into comfort zone, 2-0 (3-2 on aggregate).
Until Jarvier Mariona was subbed out and Bjorn Kristensen came in at 73rd minute.
With six minutes left for this crucial match, Christian Rontini found Kristensen and he launched an attempt from outside the box with his right foot to even the aggregate score for the PMNFT but still trailing at 2-1 (3-3 on aggregate) in the 84th minute.
This second leg of the semifinals moved on the Extra Time after regulations as away goal rule scrapped for this edition.
This is the first time for the knockout match to head into Extra Time, with the possible of Penalty Shootout, since 2002 edition where Thailand beat Indonesia for their 3rd title, 4-2 on penalties.
The possible resolution for the match was missed by Amani Aguinaldo with his supposed a game winning attempt went hit to the crossbar, few minutes before Suphanat's winning header.
The champions for two consecutive AFF Cup editions from 2020 will finally meet Vietnam for the two-legged Finals after 16 years since 2008 starting January 2 and 5 next year.
"This is another hill we have to climb, something we will do as a team, and I think fans at home can be proud of us", PMNFT custodian Quincy Kammeraad stated during post-game interview, who earned 5 critical saves in this crucial match.
This marks for the PMNFT to end another Mitsubishi Cup campaign after successfully mounted its 5th semifinal appearance since 2018 and beat Thailand after 52 years earlier Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Philippines placed 3rd in the overall tournament standings this edition carrying two wins, three draws and a lose.
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