By REYNALD MAGALLON
BANGKOK — The Philippine men’s football U22 team may have reached a pedestal that has never been achieved by the country in the last 34 years but the team doesn’t see any reason to celebrate just yet — not without a medal dangling around its neck.
“The players obviously have set their own goals as a group. Before the tournament, they set themselves the goals of at least semifinals and placing with a medal in this tournament,” said coach Garrath McPherson.
The Nationals swept their group after beating Myanmar, 2-0, and then pulling the rug from under defending champion Indonesia, 1-0 to reach the semifinals.
They’re set to face either the Group A topnotcher or the Group B ruler with a historic ticket to the gold medal match on the line.
Thailand (three points), Timor Leste (three points) and Singapore (still zero) are disputing the semis ticket in Group A while Malaysia (three) and Vietnam (three) are contesting the seat in Group B. Aside from the group winners, the best second-placed team will also proceed to the Thai capital for the KO rounds.
“Our focus now is on enjoying some rest after playing two games in a span of four days and we now get to have some rest, (time to) recharge, mentally and physically,” said McPherson.
The PH booters will be travelling to the Thai capital as the semis matches are now set at the massive Rajamangala Stadium.
