During a pre-match briefing held today at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, the stage was set for the Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 semi-final showdown between the Philippines and Thailand, scheduled for Friday, December 27, 2024, at the same venue, as Philippines head coach Albert Capellas and forward Bjorn Kristensen expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and determination to excel against Thailand, a formidable force in Southeast Asian football.
Coach Capellas emphasized the team’s focused approach, treating the semi-final like every other game, with a clear rule, “The most important game is the next game.” He highlighted that the team’s preparation mirrors the winning mentality they’ve demonstrated throughout the tournament. “We always prepare the games believing that we can win. Thailand is a strong opponent, but we’ve done what we always do — prepare to play as a team.”
Christensen echoed the coach’s sentiments, saying, “This is what we live for — playing against strong teams. Hopefully, we can secure a win in the first leg and carry that momentum into the second leg.”
Overcoming Setbacks
The Philippines faces notable roster changes. Longtime national team stalwart Patrick Reichelt is absent, having stepped away to support his family as he prepares for fatherhood. Capellas lauded Reichelt’s contributions, calling him a “player who did everything for the national team” and expressed hope for his return to football in the future.
Another challenge is the suspension of key defender Amani Aguinaldo. Coach Capellas, however, expressed confidence in the team’s depth and balance, stating, “In this tournament, we’ve become experts at finding balance. No single player is more important than the group, and whoever replaces Amani will deliver their best.”
The team also welcomed midfielder Santi Rublico, who joins after his club released him for the semifinals. The Philippine team coach highlighted Rublico’s familiarity with the team’s system, expressing optimism about his contributions.
Learning from Past Matches
The Philippines has yet to defeat Thailand in their 12 AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) matches, including a 3-1 loss earlier this year. Capellas believes lessons from that match, as well as their participation in the King’s Cup 2024, will be critical.
The team enters the semifinals undefeated in the tournament, with three draws and a key away win against Indonesia. Capellas acknowledged past criticisms about the team’s inability to secure wins but credited the players’ perseverance. “The team has been growing, and I’m proud of the players for making it this far. Tomorrow, we aim to reach our highest level and deliver a performance worthy of beating Thailand.”
Kristensen expressed his desire to contribute again, “If I score, great. If another player scores, that’s fine too. The goal is to win.”
Call to Fans
Capellas encouraged Filipino fans to rally behind the team, highlighting the difficulty of securing tickets as a positive sign. “We aim to make football entertainment for Filipinos. The players and I promise to do our best to deliver a game that fans will enjoy.”
The semi-final promises to be a thrilling clash between two determined sides. With the Philippines aiming to break their winless streak against Thailand, all eyes will be on the Rizal Memorial Stadium to see if the underdogs can triumph. Kick-off is at 2100H Manila Time.