TWO OF A KIND
BANGKOK—Philippine football enjoyed one of its most memorable nights on Monday when the men’s U-22 squad ended a decades-long wait for a semifinals berth, while the Filipinas snatched a victory at the death to keep their own campaign alive in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
“To get us to Bangkok makes us feel that all our hard work, all our passion just paid off,” said Otu Banatao, whose goal sealed the Philippines’ 1-0 win over defending champion Indonesia in Chiang Mai and confirmed the U-22s’ place in the last four.
Over in Chonburi, Mallie Ramirez struck right before the final whistle to lift the Filipinas past defending champion Vietnam by the same score, reviving their flickering hopes of reaching the semifinals after opening with a 2-1 loss to Myanmar.
Both results unfolded within minutes of each other, giving supporters a rare double celebration.
It marked the first time since 1991 that the Philippines reached the men’s semifinals of a sport considered the centerpiece of the Games. That year, Norman Fegidero’s goal sent the Filipinos through at Rizal Memorial Stadium when the tournament still featured full senior squads.
Last-gasp winner
The Philippines eventually finished fourth in that edition. This current group aims for more as the U22s head to the Thai capital for the semifinals on Dec. 15.
They will face the top team from either Group A—host Thailand, Timor-Leste or Singapore—or Group B, contested by Malaysia and Vietnam.
“I guess our focus now is to enjoy some rest,” said coach Garrath McPherson after his side topped Group C with two wins in as many matches, including a 2-0 victory over Myanmar three days earlier.
Meanwhile, Ramirez’s last-gasp winner drew the Filipinas level with Vietnam at three points apiece in Group B, though the Vietnamese stayed ahead on goal difference. Myanmar leads the group with six.
The Filipinas face Malaysia on Thursday, needing a win plus a favorable result in the Myanmar-Vietnam clash to advance.
“We just want to focus on what we need to do,” said coach Mark Torcaso. “I know we have to win the game and everything else will take care of itself.”
The women’s squad is eyeing a return to the semifinals after missing the 2023 Cambodia edition. The Filipinas last made the knockout stage in the pandemic-delayed 2021 Games, where they secured a bronze medal.
