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Freshly appointed national team head coach Albert Capellas is denied of a winning debut as the Philippines fall short to Thailand in a rainy encounter
MANILA, Philippines – A new chapter has once again begun for the Philippine men’s football team as the squad welcomed new head coach Albert Capellas for their 2024 King’s Cup campaign.
However, the Filipinos fell short of giving the 57-year-old Capellas a victorious debut as they absorbed a 3-1 loss to Thailand on Friday, October 11, at the Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkha, Thailand.
Thailand team captain Chanathip Songkrasin scored the opening goal at the 53rd minute after slotting in a right-footed shot inside the penalty box.
Bjorn Martin Kristensen pulled one back for the Philippines at the 63′ mark with a stunning left-footed curler that rocketed straight into the top right corner of the goal.
Thailand, however, quickly found a winner five minutes later as second half substitute Suphanat Mueanta headed in the ball off a cross from the right wing.
Suphanat completed his brace by drilling in a left-footed shot at the 88th minute to solidify Thailand’s win over the Philippines.
Just like in its recent editions, the four participating teams in the tournament were paired up to play against each other, and the winners of each pairing would be rewarded with an outright berth in the title match.
Since the Philippines lost to the 100th-ranked Thailand in its opening match, the former will now be relegated to the bronze medal game and compete with Tajikistan, which bowed to Syria, 1-0, earlier in the day.
World No. 148 Philippines had an encouraging start as it seemed unfazed despite playing in front of a jam-packed stadium away from home.
Gerrit Holtmann, whose last appearance with the national team came in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers, was lively down the wing, while Sandro Reyes’ right-footed shot outside the penalty box was the team’s best chance of scoring inside the opening 15 minutes.
Philippines starting goalkeeper Kevin Mendoza also showed his defensive prowess as he alertly intervened Jaroensak Wonggorn’s low cross to Poramet Arjvirai for an easy tap-in at the 19th minute.
The match was temporarily stopped at the 25′ mark due to heavy rain but eventually resumed after almost an hour of suspended play.
Capellas made a single change during the unexpected delay as he brought in substitute defender Joshua Jake Grommen for midfielder Scott Philip Woods.
The Philippines — led by Holtmann — produced a couple of decent scoring chances toward the end of the first half, but the Thai defense stood tall to keep the opening 45 minutes scoreless.
A myriad of substitutions kickstarted the final 45 minutes as Zico Alika Bailey replaced Reyes, while Thailand brought in three substitutes in Supachai Chaided, Sasalak Haiprakhon, and Suphanat.
Bringing in both Supachai and Suphanat early in the second half proved to be a masterstroke from the Thailand coaching staff as both players provided instant impact off the bench.
Six minutes after Chanathip’s opening goal, Supachai almost doubled his team’s lead with a running header inside the box, but luckily for the Filipinos, the ball traveled toward the side netting.
Suphanat delivered the finishing blows for Thailand as his header and left-footed shot — assisted by Supachi — toward the end of the second half sealed his team’s victory.
In between Suphanat’s goals, Philippines team captain Amani Aguinaldo was sent off with a straight red card after hitting Poramet in the chest with his right foot.
Chanathip bumped Aguinaldo, which led to the latter to slip and slide toward Poramet, who was also contesting for the loose ball.
The Philippines will look to close out their 2024 King’s Cup campaign with a victory and a 3rd-place finish versus Tajikistan on Monday, October 14, at the same venue. – Rappler.com
