Jefferson Tabinas’ strike wasn’t enough as the Philippine Men’s National Football Team fell 2-1 to host nation Malaysia in the 2024 Merdeka Cup on Wednesday at Bukit Jalil Stadium.
Tabinas, who currently plays for Thai League 1 side Buriram United, gave coach Norman Fegidero’s team a dream start with a deflected shot from the left flank in the 27th minute.
However, things unraveled from there. Malaysian midfielder Syamer Kutty Abba equalized for the home side with a strike from the edge of the box in the 42nd minute.
Safawi Rasid then converted a 73rd-minute penalty after Matthew Baldisimo’s foul inside the box moments earlier.
Frustration mounted for the Philippines near the end of the match when substitute midfielder Sandro Reyes felt he should have been awarded a penalty after being brought down in the Malaysian box.
Instead, the referee waved play on and issued Reyes a yellow card for protesting.
This was the second penalty appeal turned down for the Filipinos, as Patrick Reichelt’s earlier shout in the first half was also dismissed.
“I’m very proud of my players,” Fegidero said. “We fought hard until the final whistle. There were things beyond our control. We should have had two penalties in this game, but what can I do? That’s the referee’s decision.
“I’m disappointed with the result, but I’m very proud of my players for the way they played.”
The defeat means the Philippines will now face Tajikistan this Sunday at 4:30 PM, after Tajikistan’s 1-0 loss to Lebanon in an earlier match.
Malaysia and Lebanon will compete for the championship at 9:00 PM on the same day.
Malaysia XI: Hazmi (GK), Davies, Ting, Hanapi, Fazail, Abba, Josue, Baharudin, Rashid, Cools (C), Ramirez.
Philippines XI: Etheridge (GK, C), P Tabinas, J Tabinas, Baldismo, Demuynck, Nyholm, Aguinaldo, Monis, Baas, Reichelt, Kristensen.
