After needing to replace Patrick Deyto early, Quincy Kammeraad does wonders for the Philippine Men’s National Football Team against Indonesia in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
They say that you always remember your first time.
But for Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad, his first time suiting up for the senior national team is one for the history books.
Needing to be an early replacement for starting keeper Pat Deyto in the 9th minute of the Philippines’ crucial clash against Indonesia in the Mitsubishi Electric Cup on Saturday, the 23-year-old showed nerves of steel against a rowdy crowd at the Manahan Stadium in Surakarta.
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Coming off of three stinging draws in the past few days, Kammeraad came up with the team’s first clean slate of the tournament, which also propelled them to the semifinals of the ASEAN Championship for the first time in six long years.
With a crucial save in added time against Indonesia’s Ronaldo Kwateh, Kammeraad earned Man of the Match honors in his first game for the senior team.
After the historic victory, the 23-year-old said that it was something that he would remember for a long time.
“At that point, it didn’t really sink in until I touched the first ball… Obviously, amazing stadium, amazing atmosphere to make a debut and keeping the clean sheet, something that we haven’t done in this tournament. And being part of that is a good feeling. Something I will have forever with me,” Kammeraad said.
“I’ve done full cycle now with the national team. Coming in from the Youth, and now making the seniors. I’m very proud of the team and we’re gonna do everything to make it to the finals and bring the trophy home,” he continued.
Even as the Philippines struck first in the game against Indonesia, with Bjorn Kristensen slotting in the penalty at the 63rd minute mark, the game was far from over as Kammeraad and the rest of his backline had to deal with waves of attack from the equally determined home side.
But thanks to the preparation outlined by head coach Albert Herms, Kammeraad and the rest of the Filipino booters were able to hold on and maintain Kristensen’s strike that gave them the lead.
“Dealing with their long throw-ins, that’s been the main aspect,” Kammeraad said of what they worked on heading to their match against Indonesia.
“Like what coach Albert said in the press con earlier, try to steal the ball early from them. Trying to keep the game on and build from there, and then our chances will come and thankfully, Bjorn finished the chance,” he continued.
Still, there is more work to be done as the Filipinos now face defending champions Thailand in the 2-leg semifinals beginning on December 27.
The first leg will be a home game for the Filipinos at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.