SUSUNOD na makakaharap ng Philippine national men’s football team ang defending champions Thailand sa AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup sa Lunes ng gabi sa Bangkok.
Sasagupain ng Azkals ang Thais matapos ang bounce back win kontra Brunei, 5-1, sa kanilang duelo noong Biyernes sa Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Bumanat si Sebastian Rasmussen ng dalawang goals (52’, 88’) sa home win, habang binuksan ni Kenshiro Daniels ang scoring sa seventh minute. Umiskor din sina Sandro Reyes (12’) at Jesus Melliza (50’) sa unang panalo ni Josep Ferre bilang bagong Azkals coach.
Prior to the home win, the Azkals fell to Cambodia, 3-2. Thailand, meanwhile, will try to notch their second win in the tournament after blanking Brunei, 5-0, on December 20.
The Philippines is grouped with Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Brunei in Group A of the tourney and only the top two teams will advance to the knockout semis. The AFF Cup will run until January 16, 2023.
