Thailand secured their place in the final of the 2024/25 AFF Championship with a thrilling 3-1 extra-time victory against the Philippines at the Rajamangala Stadium on Monday. Overturning a first-leg deficit, the Changsuek emerged victorious with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline, booking a showdown with Vietnam in a repeat of the previous edition’s final.
Captain Peeradol Chamrasamee opened the scoring in the 37th minute, leveling the tie on aggregate, while Patrik Gustavsson’s strike early in the second half put Thailand ahead. However, the Philippines refused to bow out easily, with Bjorn Kristensen equalizing late to force extra time. It was substitute Suphanat Mueanta’s decisive header in the 115th minute that ultimately sent Thailand to the final.
The atmosphere at the Rajamangala was electric from the start, with the crowd roaring every time Thailand ventured into the Philippines’ penalty area. Masatada Ishii’s Thailand side nearly struck early when Seksan Ratree found himself in a promising position just six yards out in the fourth minute, but the Buriram United midfielder failed to capitalize.
Despite Thailand’s dominance in possession, the Philippines’ disciplined defensive setup made it difficult for the home side to find clear opportunities. A mistake by Thailand goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai in the 15th minute nearly gifted the visitors a goal. Zico Bailey intercepted a loose pass and set up Javier Gayoso, but Pansa Hemviboon’s heroic clearance off the line denied what looked like a certain goal.
Thailand finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Chamrasamee fired home to ignite the home crowd. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute when Gustavsson timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and latched onto a brilliant through-ball from Weerathep Pomphun. The Swedish-Thai forward coolly slotted past the onrushing keeper, and after a tense VAR review, the goal was confirmed.
Despite Thailand’s control, the Philippines remained dangerous. Bailey’s free-kick in the 70th minute was heading for the top corner, but Patiwat made a stunning save to deny the equalizer. Minutes later, substitute Bjorn Kristensen made an immediate impact, turning on the edge of the box to fire a low shot into the bottom corner, leveling the tie on aggregate.
The closing moments of regulation time were heart-stopping, with the Philippines nearly taking the lead in the 90th minute. A flurry of chances fell to Amami Aguinaldo and Gayoso, but Patiwat produced a trio of sensational point-blank saves to keep Thailand alive.
With no winner in sight after 11 minutes of added time, the game headed into extra time. Both teams created opportunities in the first period, but neither could find the breakthrough. As the second half of extra time began, Thailand ramped up the pressure, with Supachok Sarachat and Jonathan Khemdee both testing the Philippines’ defense.
In the 115th minute, Thailand found their moment of magic. Substitute Worachit Kanitsribumphen delivered a perfect cross into the box, and fellow substitute Suphanat rose highest to power a header past the keeper, sealing the match and the aggregate victory for Thailand. The goal was made more incredible by the fact that Suphanat had been suffering from an illness throughout the match that kept him out of the starting lineup, and he had to take painkillers prior to be being subbed on.
Thailand’s 3-1 triumph on the night confirmed their spot in the final, where they will face Vietnam. The first leg will take place at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho Province on Thursday, January 2, with the second leg set for Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Sunday, January 5.