Bjorn Kristensen of the Philippines celebrates after converting a penalty against Indonesia in their group stage match in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, December 21, 2024 at the Stadion Manahan, Indonesia. PFF-PMNFT

Bjorn Kristensen of the Philippines celebrates after converting a penalty against Indonesia in their group stage match in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, December 21, 2024 at the Stadion Manahan, Indonesia

ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17348612331381734792827437.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Bjorn Kristensen of the Philippines celebrates after converting a penalty against Indonesia in their group stage match in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, December 21, 2024 at the Stadion Manahan, Indonesia. PFF-PMNFT"/>Bjorn Kristensen of the Philippines celebrates after converting a penalty against Indonesia in their group stage match in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, December 21, 2024 at the Stadion Manahan, Indonesia. PFF-PMNFT</div>MANILA – After making history on the pitch, the Philippine men&#x27;s national football team is looking forward to playing in front of its home crowd.The Philippines booked a ticket to the semifinals of the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, after escaping Indonesia in a dramatic 1-0 victory on Saturday night. This is the first semifinals appearance of the country in the tournament since 2018. &quot;I’m so happy for them they worked very hard to make this classification happen. For me personally, I’m very happy for everybody in the federation…. Now we are here, we will try to do our best to reach the finals,&quot; PMNFT head coach Albert Capellas said in the post-game interview. The team&#x27;s emphatic win in Indonesia came after setbacks, when the team settled for three straight draws against Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/12/22/ph-football-team-make-first-asean-cup-semis-appearance-since-2018-0849">PH Football Team make first ASEAN Cup semis appearance since 2018</a></div>&quot;I knew, we knew that we will have our chances. And we knew when the moment was there we should grab it. Also we knew it won&#x27;t be easy at all. It has been very difficult…. I think Philippines deserved to win the semifinals for all that had been done in the games,&quot; he said. The first leg of the semifinals will be played in Rizal Memorial Stadium on December 27, while the second match will be on December 30 in Bangkok. &quot;I would love to have the support of the fans in our stadium. I would love to see the fullest stadium. I think the players deserve the support of the Filipinos,&quot; Capellas shared. &quot;The players did the job and I would love for us to continue doing the job together,&quot; he added. The man of the match, goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad, is hopeful to get the support of the Filipino fans especially on game day. &quot;I&#x27;m very proud of the team and we&#x27;re gonna do everything to make it to the finals and bring the trophy home,&quot; Kammeraad said. &quot;This means everything. I&#x27;m pretty sure Rizal will be jam packed. Everybody will be in line for tickets. We hope to give them a nice Christmas gift,&quot; he said. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2024/12/22/football-patrick-reichelt-signs-off-from-ph-national-team-1643">Football: Patrick Reichelt signs off from PH national team</a></div>Kammeraad made his mark in his debut for the senior&#x27;s team. He made several crucial saves after replacing Patrick Deyto who got injured early in the match. <div>AZKALS VETERANS ON SEMIS RETURN </div>Azkals veterans like Amani Aguinaldo and Patrick Reichelt turned emotional after the Philippines booked its semis ticket for the first time in six years. &quot;I got no words. I&#x27;m just so happy to be part of this team. To be part of the squad that went through so much difficulties in the past. Now to make history again to make the semifinals, means so much to me, to the team and to the fans back home,&quot; he said. Aguinaldo thanked all the people who stood by them despite their recent struggles. &quot;I&#x27;m grateful for the people who never stopped supporting us. For the fans, who believed in us. For our families back home. The boys deserve it…. I hope we keep the momentum and go as far,&quot; he added. Reichelt, who has been to the semifinals multiple times, is optimistic this youth-laden squad can get the job done. &quot;It&#x27;s an amazing feeling, an amazing feeling achievement. This group of boys, this new generation… Now it&#x27;s time to make history. I know this group can make history,&quot; he said. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2024/12/18/football-heartbreak-for-ph-as-vietnam-salvages-late-draw-in-mitsubishi-electric-cup-2338">Football: Heartbreak for PH as Vietnam salvages late draw in Mitsubishi Electric Cup</a></div>&quot;It’s always been my favorite tournament and to see what this young generation has done now and being part of this group, it&#x27;s very special now at this stage in my age,&quot; Reichelt added. The Azkals veteran later revealed that the match against Indonesia was his last for the Philippines. &quot;Yeah it&#x27;s true that&#x27;s why it&#x27;s been a bit emotional after the game for me and for the boys. I will leave tomorrow, flying back to Malaysia to support my wife who is giving birth in 13 days,&quot; he explained. &quot;We&#x27;re expecting our first baby. It&#x27;s time. It&#x27;s time I go home to prepare. I&#x27;ll be the biggest supporter from home… Support these boys, they deserve it. Let&#x27;s get all together and scream in front of the TVs and bring them to the final for the first time,&quot; Reichelt added. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2024/12/22/football-patrick-reichelt-signs-off-from-ph-national-team-1643">READ: Patrick Reichelt signs off from PH national team</a></div><div>IMPACT ON PH FOOTBALL COMMUNITY </div>Reichelt said the return to the semis ended the wait for the next big thing, after the &quot;Miracle at Hanoi&quot; in December 2010. He hopes the team can boost popularity on football. The Philippines shocked then-defending champions Vietnam in a 2-0 victory, led by Phil Younghusband and Chris Greatwich. The win helped propel the popularity of football in the Philippines. &quot;I just have a special feeling about this group now. I can just see it happen. I hope we can wake up Philippines, the next generation even. And have a big impact on what happens next on Philippine football,&quot; he shared.

After making history on the pitch, the Philippine men's national football team is looking forward to playing in front of its home crowd.

After making history on the pitch, the Philippine men's national football team is looking forward to playing in front of its home crowd.

PH men's football team looks forward to playing at home for ASEAN Cup semis | ABS-CBN

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PH men's football team looks forward to playing at home for ASEAN Cup semis

PH men's football team looks forward to playing at home for ASEAN Cup semis

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 22, 2024 05:57 PM PHT

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Updated Dec 23, 2024 12:55 AM PHT

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