After 52 long years

Philippines booters finally solve Thai puzzle

MANILA, Philippines — It was the stuff of legend.

Two nights after Christmas, under the bright lights of the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium and surrounded by 7,116 roaring fans, the Philippines pulled off what’s not been done the last 52 years: beat regional football power Thailand.

And the Filipinos accomplished this in the most dramatic fashion, firing a last-gasp winner that secured a famous 2-1 upset in Leg 1 of the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals that will forever be etched in memory.

Deep into the five-minute stoppage time and with a 1-1 standoff looming, the Filipinos delivered a well-executed set piece that started with Zico Bailey’s free kick from way outside to Paul Tabinas who headed it over to Kike Linares for the final attack – another header.

Linares, who took the spot of suspended Amani Aguinaldo in the Philippine defense in this game, dove and met Tabinas’ pass with his head and sent it home, sending the Rizal crowd into frenzy.

Quincy Kammeraad made one final save and after the referee blew the final whistle, there was thunderous cheers and applause from every football fan who has waited to see the Philippines break out of Thailand’s stranglehold after incurring 19 losses and two draws over five decades.

The last time the country beat the Thais was way back in 1972 in the Jakarta Trophy, a 1-0 verdict.

The celebration in and around the stadium lasted past midnight.

“Miracle in Manila,” some would quickly call this feat, which put the team in position to close it out in Monday’s return leg in Bangkok and clinch a historic trip to the finals with at least a draw.

But for the team, it’s a simple case of belief, perseverance and the Filipino fighting spirit.

“This group is a really resilient group and these guys never give up. Credit goes to the players, they fought ‘til the end,” said team manager Freddy Gonzalez.

The Pinoy booters really had to fight their way out of trouble in this high-stakes, high-pressure game.

Sandro Reyes put the hosts in front with a sublime left-foot strike in the 21st minute. But as the first half wound down, Suphanan Bureerat struck the equalizer off a counter for the visitors.

The Filipinos then survived a furious Thai assault in the second half before sealing it at the death.

“We played a very good 35 to 40 minutes against a very good team. In the second half we suffered more, conceded attempts that we shouldn’t have,” said coach Albert Capellas.