It wasn't the fairytale ending that the Philippine men's national football team hoped for, but they definitely earned the hearts of plenty during their incredible run in the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
The Philippine men’s national football team may have fallen short of reaching the final in the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, but the players' valiant effort against defending champions Thailand earned widespread praise from fans and football figures alike.
Behind Bjørn Kristensen's 84th minute goal, the Philippines were able to force extra time in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup semifinals.
But Thailand eventually scored the winning goal in the 116th minute, courtesy of Suphanat Mueanta's header, for a 3-1 lead (4-3 on aggregate), advancing to the Finals where they will face Vietnam.
Right after the match, veteran goalkeeper and former national team captain Neil Etheridge took to social media to encourage the squad and its supporters after the narrow semifinal defeat.
"I know how everyone involved is feeling right now, I’ve been there and felt it. But the pain will go, the scars will heal, and the team will only grow with experience. Everyone should lift their head up high and be proud of their involvement," Etheridge said on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The match, which ended with a heartbreaking loss for the Philippines, was marred by debate over officiating. Fans expressed their frustration on social media, calling for better refereeing and the use of VAR technology.
One fan, @amtcfc, vented, "WE NEED ANSWERS. Fix the refereeing. No VAR check at all for this, which led to a Thailand goal vs the Philippines. SHAMBOLIC."
Despite the disappointment, supporters rallied around the team, focusing on their achievements and progress.
The Philippines ended a 52-year losing streak against Thailand in the tournament and secured third place overall.
"This Philippines national football team will come back stronger next time. Team broke a losing streak against Thailand and finished third in the league. Salamat sa laban 🇵🇭,” user @nanawithchu wrote.
Others highlighted the team’s growth and resilience throughout the competition.
"We fought so well but sadly we were so close to making it to the finals," shared @OceanaTsu_. "I hope we have a good run in the future. Also, GG, Thailand."
The match also drew praise for the team’s effort, with fans acknowledging the improvement in their performance.
"That was such a lengthy game 😭. The Philippines held up well against Thailand this time, and that is already a huge win 🥹. Come back stronger, boys,” user @therdisapla noted.
Amid the mix of emotions, some fans found humor in the situation.
"Miss Universe Winners: Philippines - 4, Thailand - 2," user @pantropiKlopp joked.
The Philippine men’s national football team may have fallen short of a historic finals appearance, but the unwavering support from fans and former players underlines the pride and hope surrounding the Albert Capellas-led squad.
With their sights set on the future, the team’s performance in this tournament serves as a stepping stone toward greater achievements in regional football.