On a night that solidified his status as a national hero, Sandro Reyes, the rising star of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team, chose to celebrate the biggest win of his international career by honoring those closest to him – his teammates who fought alongside him and the supporters at the Rizal Memorial Stadium who cheered passionately for the home side.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who has made 39 appearances for German club SpVgg Greuther Fürth II, delivered a stellar performance by scoring the opening goal in the Philippines’ 2-1 victory over Thailand in the first leg of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 semifinals.
His effort earned him the coveted Man of the Match award, further solidifying his importance to the squad.
As the jubilant crowd of 7,116 and his teammates celebrated long after the final whistle, Reyes took a moment to reflect on the monumental effort it took for the team to finally defeat the War Elephants – breaking a 52-year winless streak against the regional powerhouse.
“We suffered throughout the entire group stage,” Reyes admitted. “I think the group stage was the perfect preparation for today because we endured so many challenges. We went through hell and came out stronger.
“Today, it was the exact same thing: we went through hell at the end of the first half and until the end of the game. Thailand had many chances, they were putting pressure on us, and we couldn’t keep the ball. It was very difficult. We were exhausted, but we got out of hell, scored the last-minute goal, and there’s not much else I can say. The fans were amazing – they stayed with us until the end.”
(C) Pam Puri
Adding to the sweetness of the victory, Reyes was able to share the moment with his family, who were in the stands to witness the historic match live.
As the game fell right in the heart of the Filipino holiday season, Reyes’ goal and the electrifying atmosphere in the stadium became unforgettable highlights for his relatives.
Despite the intensity of the match, Reyes managed to spot his family in the grandstand – a sight that gave him an emotional lift and perhaps an extra boost to excel as one of the leaders for coach Albert Capellas’ side.
“I don’t think my family is ever together,” shared the former Kaya-Iloilo standout. “We’re always in separate parts of the world throughout the year, and we just reunite for Christmas.
“This Christmas, if it’s not the most special, it’s definitely one of the most special I’ve ever experienced. They were all in the stands. I saw them, and it meant so much to me.”
From an early age, Reyes has carried the weight of high expectations, touted as the next big star in Philippine football.
His move to Spain at just nine years old was a major milestone in his development.
Growing up, he watched the team – formerly known as the Azkals – struggle to compete against Southeast Asia’s best.
Now, with a monumental victory over the seven-time champions, Reyes recognizes the significance of the achievement.
However, he is well aware that the battle is far from over, with the second leg looming at the formidable Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok this Monday.
(C) Pam Puri
“I’ve been playing football since I was four years old in the Philippines. I used to watch the Suzuki Cup as a kid, and Thailand was always the team to beat. They’ve been the strongest team in Southeast Asia for so long,” Reyes reflected. “To beat them just shows how far we’ve come as a team. But the job isn’t even halfway done.
“We have a really difficult second leg coming up, and we want to play the final here at home. We’ll give everything to make that happen.”
Reyes’ inspiring performance, combined with his humility and gratitude, has undoubtedly cemented his place as one of the Philippines’ brightest football stars.
With the nation rallying behind the team, all eyes will now be on the decisive second leg in Bangkok.
