CHONBURI – As great a feeling as that of reaching the Southeast Asian Games semifinals for the first time after 34 years is, the Philippine U22 team knows this feat won’t be complete without a medal.

So expect the Pinoy booters to continue the hard work as they transition to the Final Four slated for Dec. 15 at the cavernous Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

They’re set to face either the Group A topnotcher or the Group B ruler with a historic ticket to the gold medal match on the line.

Thailand (three points), Timor Leste (three points) and Singapore (still zero) are disputing the semis ticket in Group A while Malaysia (three) and Vietnam (three0 are contesting the seat in Group B. Aside from the group winners, the best second-placed team will also proceed to the Thai capital for the KO rounds.

“The players obviously have set their own goals as a group. Before the tournament, they set themselves the goals of at least semifinals and placing with a medal in this tournament,” said coach Garrath McPherson.

McPherson’s troops had swept their two assignments in Group C, beating Myanmar, 2-0, before following it up with a 1-0 victory over defending champion Indonesia at Chiang Mai’s 700th Anniversary Stadium, to advance ahead of anyone else.

The victory rekindled the magic of the 1991 SEAG in Manila, the last time the Philippine men’s football squad made it past the eliminations. In that celebrated run, the Filipinos finished fourth overall.

“Our focus now is on enjoying some rest after playing two games in a span of four days and we now get to have some rest, (time to) recharge, mentally and physically,” said McPherson.