The Rizal Memorial Stadium erupted in joyous celebration as Linares' powerful header found the back of the net, sending the 7,116 passionate fans into a frenzy. This momentous win marks the Philippines' first-ever victory in the semifinals of the regional tournament and their first triumph over Thailand in over five decades.
The Azkals started strong, with Sandro Reyes drawing first blood in the 21st minute. However, Thailand responded just before halftime, leveling the score through Suphanan Bureerat. The second half saw a tense battle, with both teams vying for the decisive goal.
Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Linares rose to the occasion, connecting with a perfectly executed set-piece to deliver the game-winner. His heroic effort not only secured a crucial advantage for the Philippines heading into the second leg but also ended a 52-year drought against the formidable Thai team.
"I'm very happy for all of the supporters and the fans," said a jubilant coach Albert Capellas. "I'm very happy for the players because they never gave up. We played a very good 35-40 minutes against a very good team... In the second half, we suffered more... but we handled it together."
Capellas praised his team's fighting spirit, highlighting their unwavering determination to represent the country with pride. "We never lost hope because this team (is full of) fighters and they fight so much for this country.
I’m so proud of them, and the win at the end gave us what we deserved.”
This historic victory has ignited hopes of a first-ever AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup final appearance for the Philippines. The Azkals will now travel to Bangkok for the second leg on Monday, carrying with them a valuable lead and the unwavering support of a nation inspired by their remarkable performance.
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