By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippine men’s football team came so close and yet so far as it succumbed to Thailand in a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat late Monday night, Dec. 30, in the second leg of their ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.
Trailing by a goal, 2-1, in extra time, the Nationals got smashed straight to the jaw with a devastating header from substitute striker Suphanat Mueanta in the 116th minute that shattered their ambitious bid of securing a breakthrough finals appearance.
The Thais stole that ticket on a 3-4 aggregate despite losing in the first leg, 2-1, last Friday, Dec. 27, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
Had the country held on, it would have sent the duel into a penalty shootout where it would have a shot at setting a date with destiny.
Instead, the Thais, egged on by a mammoth, animated crowd of 31,876 fans, will be advancing to the next phase that somehow restored order in the event that they have dominated for multiple times.
Skipper Peeradol Chamrasamee opened with a goal in the 37th minute for Thailand before Patrik Gustavsson followed it up 10 minutes into the second half.
But the Filipinos refused to go down without a fight as Bjorn Kristensen came to the rescue to send the game to extra time.
However, Thailand banked on its experience, becoming more aggressive until Suphanat took the spotlight that dashed the Filipinos’ hopes of extending their impressive, historic run.
Prior to Suphanat’s goal, the Nationals had their closest opportunity to score a goal on Javier Gayoso’s rebound but it hit the crossbar.
With the win, Thailand guns for a record eighth title against Vietnam in the two-leg finals — first on Jan. 2 before hosting them on Jan. 5.
