Sandro Reyes reflects on PH's run in ASEAN Championship: 'This is only the beginning'

Philippine Men's National Football Team midfielder Sandro Reyes reflected on the Philippines' campaign in the 2024 ASEAN Championship (AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup).

The Philippines ended its dream run on Monday after falling short against Thailand in the second leg of the semifinals, 3-1 (4-3 on aggregate).

"This team, a constant reminder that no matter what life throws at you, you can either fall or rise," Reyes said in the caption of his social media post.

"Surround yourself with the right people, the right mindset, and the sky is the limit. Thank you Philippines, for giving me an opportunity to feel these emotions. This is only the beginning."

 

 

 

 

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Reyes was crucial in PMNFT's campaign in the tournament as he made two goals in the tourney, one of which was was against Vietnam where he had the lone goal for the Philippines as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

"From the rough start we had not winning the first three games. How we stuck together and continued to stay strong despite the criticism and pressure. To then going to a hostile Indonesia having to win to make the semifinals. Grinding out that memorable win against the odds. The emotions felt when that final whistle came were indescribable, the videos speak for themselves," Reyes wrote in the caption of his post.

"We suffered so much and fully deserved that euphoria. And that special moment of Kiki and Deyto too," he added, while referring to Patrick Reichelt who parted ways with the squad and Patrick Deyto who missed the rest of the tournament due to injury.

Reyes also shared a memorable moment during the Philippines' win against Thailand in the first leg of the semifinals. He made the first goal en route to PMNFT's 2-1 victory, the first against Thailand in 52 years.

"That semi final night in Manila. In front of a packed Filipino crowd. With my family there, my grandma in a cane jumping up and down. I will remember that goal forever, not on its own but more for how we dominated that first half as a team, the feeling of making the best team in the tournament feel inferior because of the football we displayed. Then the last minute winner to the celebration lap with my brothers, seeing how we lifted that crowd. Wow," he wrote.

The 21-year old player also remembered how they went against the Thais in the second leg of the semis.

"Not only did we come back from the dead, but we pushed the best team in front of 30k of their people to the ropes. That feeling of silencing the crowd and seeing their depleted faces and legs as we showed the courage to be a crossbar away from eliminating them in their own house," he said.

"Full respect to Thailand but we know even if they won’t say it, we could see in their eyes the fear and respect they had for us, not that we need it."

The Philippines finished the ASEAN Championship with three 1-1 draws against Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, a 1-0 win against Indonesia in the group stage, an historic 2-1 win against Thailand in the first leg of the semifinals and a 3-1 loss to the Thais in the second leg.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News