Reigning champions Thailand suffered their first loss in the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024, going down to the Philippines 2-1 in the away leg of their semi-final clash at Manila's Rizal Memorial Stadium on Friday night.
Sandro Reyes' opening goal for the home side was cancelled out by Suphanan Bureerat just before the break, but the hosts, the Philippines, searching for their first-ever win, secured a famous victory when centre-back Enrique Linares scored a 95th minute winner following a free kick in the final seconds of the contest.
Thailand head coach Masatada Ishii struck a positive note after the War Elephants' first-ever defeat to the Azkals in 52 years, saying he is confident his men will produce a response in Bangkok tomorrow night.
Commenting on the game on Friday night, Ishii said: "First of all, I apologise for the result. I didn't know the statistic that we had never lost to the Philippines before this tournament. Asean football isn't easy and a win or a loss can happen in any game.
"I haven't looked at the details from the beginning of the match yet, but I have said in the past we are conceding too many fouls in our own half.
"We have to go back and analyse our mistakes to put on a better show in the second leg at home.
"Every player in the national team has shown the inspiration and they have shown that they are ready to work hard both in training and competition.
"We must find out why we conceded two goals in this match. We will have to see how to adjust and not to concede any such goals again.
"We let them score the first goal but we were able to equalise. In the second half, our players did well and were consistent, but we conceded the second goal from a free kick.
"It is natural that players may look tense, but I believe that we will come back in the next game."
The Filipinos went ahead in the 21st minute as Alex Monis tried to make space in the box for a shot but had to return the ball to Sandro Reyes, who found the top corner from outside the area with his left foot to make it 1-0.
The Thais snatched the equaliser at the stroke of half-time through a quick counter-attack following a Philippines corner.
Supachok and then Suphanat Mueanta drove forward with the ball before the latter released Patrik Gustavsson, who crossed it in for the arriving right-back Suphanan to score and restore parity right before the break.
The game should have ended in a draw but the Philippines won a free kick when William Weidersjo fouled Christian Rontini, allowing Zico Bailey to launch a set-piece deep into the Thai box five minutes into the added period.
The Philippines right-back Paul Tabinas headed it back across the goal for Linares, who plies his trade in the Thai top division, to head home from close range and give his side the upper hand in the last-four clash.
The two sides will face off again for the second leg at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium tomorrow night.
