The Philippine Men's National Football team aims to salve their Kings' Cup campaign with a bronze medal duel against Tajikistan.
The Albert Capellas era for the Philippine Men’s National Football Team is off to a rough start.
The Philippines surrendered two goals in a span of 19 minutes in the second half, eventually succumbing to host Thailand, 3-1, in the 2024 King's Cup on Friday, October 11.
In a rain-delayed encounter, Suphanat Mueanta scored a brace to help the Thais advance into the gold medal round against Syria, who clobbered Tajikistan, 1-0, in their own duel.
The Thailand team captain broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute with a clinical strike past goalkeeper Kevin Ray Mendoza for a 1-0 advantage.
But the Pinoy booters drew level thanks to Bjorn Kristensen 63rd-minute equalizer and pumped life back to the Nationals.
That only paved the way for Mueanta to score his first goal at the 68th mark off a header to restore order for the home squad, 2-1.
Now playing catch-up, the Philippines suffered a huge blow after team captain Amani Aguinaldo got sent off in the 75th minute.
He received a red card after a reckless challenge on a Thai player following a VAR review.
Mueanta the put to rest any hopes of the Nationals’ comeback by completing a brace in 87th minute.
It was also a tough homecoming for Filipino-German footballer Gerritt Holtmann, who played his first game back donning the PMFT colors since the 2023 AFC Asian Cup last June 2022.
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The Nationals aim to salvage a podium finish when they take on Tajikistan in the bronze-medal match on Monday, October 14 at 5:30 p.m.