Otu Banatao happy to see work pay off as Philippines heads to SEAG semis in men's football

BANGKOK – It took 34 years, but the Philippines finally broke through in Southeast Asian Games men’s football as the U-21 team upended defending champions Indonesia, 1-nil, in the 33rd SEA Games at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai stadium on Monday.

Otu Banatao, who netted the game’s lone goal, beamed with pride after having helped his team get to where they are.

Taking down a team like Indonesia is a huge undertaking, but Banatao said that there was firm belief in the Philippines’ side that they could compete with the best at the SEA Games level.

[RELATED: Philippines stun defending champs Indonesia, end 34-year SEA Games football semis drought]

“They were a really strong side, I’m good friends with Kadek (Arel), he’s a really good centerback, Ferrari (Muhammad) We went through all these players in our team talk,” Banatao said in the post-match press conference. 

“We knew that yes, they have a strong side, but we also have quality. We can hang on with this team.”

Bangkok holds the key

Having swept their Pool C assignments with wins over Myanmar and Indonesia, the Philippines will head to the medal rounds in Thailand’s capital, the country's first semifinals appearance since 1991.

With a chance at etching their name in the history books, Banatao believes it’s a long time coming.

“I mean, to get a good result, to put us to Bangkok it just feels like all the work, all the passion, it just all paid off. I’m just really happy that our team gets to go to Bangkok,” he said.

At the moment, Banatao and the Philippines will hold their breath to find out who they will face in the next phase of the tournament, where they hope to finish on the podium.

A possible opponent would be host nation Thailand, with the Philippines drawn with the winner of either Group A or Group B in the semifinal.

Regardless of what transpires next, the Philippines U21 football team will have two chances at a medal in Bangkok.

—

Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.

Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.