The Philippine men’s U-22 football team clinched a historic semifinal berth in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games after edging Indonesia, 1-0, on Monday night at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The victory sealed a clean sweep of Group C for the young Azkals, who opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Myanmar last Friday. It also marked the country’s first appearance in the men’s football semifinals since 1991, when the Games still allowed senior-level players.

Otu Banatao proved to be the hero of the night, slotting in the match’s lone goal two minutes into first-half stoppage time.

Banatao pounced on a loose ball inside the box and calmly finished, giving the Philippines an early advantage they refused to relinquish.

Indonesia, competing in the tournament for the first time, pressed aggressively in the second half in search of an equalizer. But the Filipinos’ disciplined backline and composed midfield rotation held firm, repeatedly thwarting the Indonesians’ advances until the final whistle.

With momentum on their side and a breakthrough achievement already secured, the Philippines now heads to Bangkok for the semifinals set on December 15, aiming to continue a dream run more than three decades in the making.