By: Gil Moriones
MANILA -- The Philippine Men's National Football Team dealt another home loss against the 2024 Finalist, Thailand War Elephants after a late header goal putting them in the brink of missing the semifinals of the continuing 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup in New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac during rainy Tuesday.
The number one team in AFF dominated the possession in the first half while the Philippines had the opportunity to draw first blood after two chances from Javier Mariona and Gav Muens.
Muens found the free-running Mariona in their counter-attack at the 41st minutes but Thai defender successfully pursued him as he was about to launch his shot.
But none of the two crucial attempts of the PMNFT went beyond the goal line making halftime in a goalless draw.
Same with Thailand who did not able to score in the first half after Patrick Deyto passed an acid test in the 35th minute.
Both teams had one shots on target until Waris Choolthong converted their second shot-on-target in the score that will send the War Elephants to the semifinals.
Choolthong looped his perfect header after being unmarked by the Philippine-defense and finally converted to give Thailand their desire lead in the 84th minute.
After that goal, the Thais went aggressive in the PMNFT's defensive taking chance to score again.
But Deyto made four crucial saves in the dying minutes stopping any bleeding from their defense - first in 88th, in the 89th, and the added minutes beyond the 90th.
The Nationals will head to Bukit Halil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur with an uphill to not just simply win over Malaysia but beat them by at least seven goals to comeback in the semifinals of this edition.
