Bjørn Kristensen (10) of the Philippines looks to score against Thailand in the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Championships semifinals, December 30, 2024 at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. PFF/PMNFT

(UPDATED) A courageous performance by the Philippine men's national team fell agonizingly short on Monday night, as their dreams of a breakthrough finals appearance in the ASEAN Championship was denied by the defending champions.

Thailand found a late goal to break the Filipinos' hearts, 3-1, after extra time in the second leg of their semifinal tie at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

The result gave the holders a 4-3 triumph on aggregate, as they overturned their shock 1-2 defeat to the Filipinos in the first leg of the semis last Friday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

READ: PH men write new chapter in football history with stunning win vs. Thailand

The War Elephants are now headed to the two-legged final against Vietnam, which starts on January 2 at the Việt Trì Stadium. They are seeking a third consecutive championship in the Mitsubishi Electric Cup.

Suphanat Mueanta was the hero for Thailand, as he found the back of the net in the 116th minute to put the hosts ahead for good. From a cross by Worachit Kanitsribumphen, Suphanat headed it in to get past Quincy Kammeraad and send the over 31,000 fans in the stadium into ecstasy.

"I think we played good in the first 20 minutes, we played good the last 20 minutes. And in the first half of extra time was really poor game, and the last 10 minutes, we ... allowed too many crosses," said Philippines coach Albert Capellas after the game.

"Next time we will learn from that lesson, and we will come back stronger," he added.

It was a particularly painful ending for the Filipinos, who fell behind 2-0 after 54 minutes but showed no quit even as Thailand took the lead on aggregate.

Bjørn Kristensen once again came up big for the Philippines, launching a right-footed missile from outside the box to beat Patiwat Khammai and put the tie back on level terms, 3-3. It was a tremendous goal from Kristensen, who took a pass from Christian Rontini and coolly composed himself before powering a strike past Thai defender Suphanan Bureerat.

The Filipinos battled the War Elephants to a stalemate in the first 15 minutes of extra time, and it appeared as though the match was headed to a penalty shootout before Suphanat's clutch header stunned the Philippines.

Thailand had gone ahead in the 37th minute through Peeradol Chamrasamee, who turned the ball in from a difficult angle to slot past Kammeraad in the top right corner. However, the goal was not without controversy. In the build-up, it appeared as though the ball was already out of bounds before it was shifted back in by Seksan Ratree, who crossed it into the box for Peeradol.

LOOK: A screenshot of the build-up to Peeradol Chamrasamee's goal in the 37th minute, which the ball apparently out of bounds before it is turned back in by Seksan Ratree. Screenshot from ASEAN United FC on X.

The goal stood, however, despite complaints from the Philippine side. 

Patrik Gustavsson put Thailand ahead, 2-0, in the 54th minute, slotting past an on-rushing Kammeraad after a through ball from Weerathep Pomphun. After a VAR review for offside, the goal was awarded, to the delight of the War Elephants.

But Kristensen, who came into the match in the 73rd minute for Javi Mariona, would not be denied as he revived the Philippines' hopes just ten minutes after his entry.

Unfortunately for the Filipinos, Thailand produced a late moment of magic, with Suphanat rising just a tad higher than Paul Tabinas inside the box to deliver the blow that dashed the Philippines' dreams. 

"I'm very proud of my players," Capellas stressed afterward. "We will come back stronger. I promise you that."

This was still a tournament to remember for the Filipinos, as they made it back to the semifinals of the Mitsubishi Electric Cup for the first time in 2018. Their win against Thailand in the first leg was especially historic: it was their first triumph against the War Elephants in 52 years, and the first time they beat Thailand in the history of their participation in the tournament.

READ: Coach proud of fighting spirit of PH players in historic win vs. Thailand

Moreover, their run saw the emergence of new stars, including Kristensen and young midfielder Sandro Reyes. 

For Capellas, who took over the men's football program just in September, this tournament should be the building block for a team that can hopefully compete at an even higher level in the future.

"I hope all the Filipinos are proud," he said. "... Our squad, they fight… I hope we will have the support from the federation, from the government, from the people who love football," he said.

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