By: Icko de Guzman
With wins over Myanmar and Indonesia secured, the Philippines Men’s Under-22 National Team now stands on the brink of a journey no Philippine men’s football squad has embarked on in over three decades—a return to the medal rounds as Group C winners.
Otu Banatao’s first-half stoppage-time header proved decisive, sending the Philippines into the semifinals for the first time since 1991 and echoing Norman Fegidero’s heroics 34 years ago at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
For head coach Garrath McPherson, the victory over the defending champions was a testament to his squad’s resilience and a measure of redemption after falling to Indonesia in the ASEAN U23 Mandiri Cup last July.
“Indonesia pushed us to our limits, and I’m very happy with the character shown by our team,” said McPherson.
“The attitude and mentality in this group set them apart. Without that, the result today could have been very different.”
Against an Indonesian side accustomed to high-level competition, McPherson emphasized the importance of matching their intensity from the opening whistle and staying courageous even as the pressure mounted late in the match.
“We spoke before the game about how competitive it was going to be. We know Indonesia have players of quality, so it was about staying in the fight,” the Australian mentor noted.
“We couldn’t just let them control the game. We had to pick our moments, impose ourselves, and show our quality.”
Banatao, whose first SEA Games goal delivered the breakthrough, credited the team’s collective effort for the victory.
“They have a strong side, but we also have quality,” he said.
“It just feels like all the work, all the passion, it all paid off.”
With the Philippines now assured of a semifinal berth, McPherson remains grounded while the nation inches closer to a historic first medal in men’s football.
“The players have set their own goals as a group. My role is to prepare them for every match day, and what will be will be,” he said.
“I just focus on the next game. But the players set out to reach the semifinals and finish with a medal, and that ambition is driving them forward.”
