'Job's not done': Reyes, PH team switch focus to second leg of semis | ABS-CBN
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'Job's not done': Reyes, PH team switch focus to second leg of semis
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 29, 2024 08:30 PM PHT
Action between the Philippines and Thailand in the first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Championship semis, December 27, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. PFF-PMNFTMANILA -- The Philippine men's national football team is well aware that their job is far from done, even after securing a historic triumph against regional powerhouse Thailand in the first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Championship semifinals last Friday.
Action between the Philippines and Thailand in the first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Championship semis, December 27, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. PFF-PMNFTMANILA -- The Philippine men's national football team is well aware that their job is far from done, even after securing a historic triumph against regional powerhouse Thailand in the first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Championship semifinals last Friday.Their 2-1 triumph against the holders came in front of a passionate crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, but the Filipinos are now bracing for a heavy task in the return leg on Monday in Bangkok.
Their 2-1 triumph against the holders came in front of a passionate crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, but the Filipinos are now bracing for a heavy task in the return leg on Monday in Bangkok.
"The job's not even halfway done," said Sandro Reyes, the star midfielder who scored the opening goal in the 21st minute against the War Elephants.
"The job's not even halfway done," said Sandro Reyes, the star midfielder who scored the opening goal in the 21st minute against the War Elephants.
Thailand equalized just before halftime, but centerback Kike Linares came through with the go-ahead goal at the death to seal a famous victory for the Philippines.
Thailand equalized just before halftime, but centerback Kike Linares came through with the go-ahead goal at the death to seal a famous victory for the Philippines.
The win was their first over Thailand in the history of the tournament, after losing ten times and drawing twice in their first 12 encounters. Just as important, it put them a step closer towards a finals berth in the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
The win was their first over Thailand in the history of the tournament, after losing ten times and drawing twice in their first 12 encounters. Just as important, it put them a step closer towards a finals berth in the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
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To get there, however, they must once again overcome a Thailand squad that will surely be eager to make up for their mistakes in front of their own home crowd.
To get there, however, they must once again overcome a Thailand squad that will surely be eager to make up for their mistakes in front of their own home crowd.
"We have a really difficult second leg coming up, and we wanna play a final game, so we'll give everything to play that final game," said Reyes.
"We have a really difficult second leg coming up, and we wanna play a final game, so we'll give everything to play that final game," said Reyes.
Philippines coach Albert Capellas was quick to stress that their win -- as important as it was -- is "only one game."
Philippines coach Albert Capellas was quick to stress that their win -- as important as it was -- is "only one game."
"I know it's a very important game, very special for everyone. For the fans, for everybody. But in our way of thinking, we only have done half the job," he noted.
"I know it's a very important game, very special for everyone. For the fans, for everybody. But in our way of thinking, we only have done half the job," he noted.
Recovery will be paramount for the Filipinos, who will be playing their sixth game in 19 days when the opening whistle blows at the Rajamangala Stadium.
Recovery will be paramount for the Filipinos, who will be playing their sixth game in 19 days when the opening whistle blows at the Rajamangala Stadium.
"We have to travel, also Thailand has to travel," he said. "And then, we will try to qualify. We will do our best."
"We have to travel, also Thailand has to travel," he said. "And then, we will try to qualify. We will do our best."
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2024 ASEAN Championships
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Sandro Reyes
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