MANILA — The Philippines ended more than three decades of frustration in men’s football after securing a long-awaited return to the Southeast Asian Games semifinals, beating Indonesia, 1-0, in a gritty Group C duel Monday night at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The historic breakthrough—the country’s first Final Four appearance since 1991—came off the head of Otu Banatao, who delivered the decisive strike in first-half stoppage time. Banatao rose above Indonesia’s backline and nodded the ball home in the 45+1st minute to give the Filipinos the lead they fiercely protected until the final whistle.
With back-to-back wins to open their campaign, the Philippines topped Group C with six points, booking a semifinals slot and reigniting hopes for a medal finish long thought out of reach.
The achievement also underscores coach Garrath McPherson’s growing pedigree on the regional stage, marking his second semifinals appearance in a major youth tournament after steering the national side to the ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup semifinals last July.
The U22 squad returns to action next Monday at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, where they will face the top team from Group A or Group B at 4:30 p.m. (Manila time).
FEMALE SIDE ALSO STRIKES LATE
In Chonburi, the Filipinas kept their own campaign alive with a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Mallie Ramirez powered home a rebound in the 90+4th minute to secure a 1–0 victory over Vietnam in the women’s football tournament.
Ramirez pounced after Vietnam goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh deflected an initial strike from Alessandrea Carpio. The late goal gave the Philippines their first three points in Group B after opening with a 2–1 loss to Myanmar.
Myanmar leads the group with six points, while Vietnam and the Philippines are level on three points apiece, separated only by goal difference.
The Filipinas face Malaysia on Thursday at the IPE Chonburi Stadium. Vietnam battles Myanmar simultaneously at Chonburi Stadium. Both matches begin at 5 p.m. (Manila time)./PN
