Azkals salvage draw with Indons
AZKALS skipper Phil Younghusband saved the Philippines’ campaign in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2016 after timely goal late in the match to salvage a point with a 2-2 draw with Indonesia the other night at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.
It looked as if Indonesia was walking away with the win with the team ahead, 2-1, with less than 10 minutes left in regulation.
Younghusband, a veteran in the Philippine squad, spoiled it for the for the Indonesians as he hit the equalizer in the 82nd minute, curling a free kick just outside the box to the top corner of the goal.
“It was an exciting game, (but) not so good for coaches I guess,” Azkals head coach Thomas Dooley said in a report posted at the AFF Suzuki Cup website. “They had the better chances than we had overall, I think that 2-2 would be most fair.”
Dooley believes the Azkals made a lot of defensive lapses, which had the team concede two goals from Indonesia.
“Obviously (for the goals), it was inside the six yard box. There was somebody who maybe was not marking, the goalkeeper could have come out. I cannot say right now. I have to watch the tape.”
Indonesia took the early lead after a header by Fachruddin Aryanto in the seventh minute.
Misagh Bahadoran, however, beat Indonesia goalie Kurnia Meiga to level the match at 1-1 in the 31st minute.
Boaz Salossa gave Indonesia the goahead goal in the 68th coming off a rebound.
Thailand, on the other hand, advanced to the semifinal round after beating Singapore with a late goal. Coming off the bench, sub Sarawat Masuk hit a header in the 89th minute from a cross by Theerathon Bunmanthan.The other semfinal spot is still up for grabs for the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore, depending on the last day of the group stage on Friday.
The Philippines takes on Thailand at the Philippine Sports Stadium, while Singapore is up against Indonesia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium both at 8 p.m.
“We have to do something in the last game, it will be an exciting game,” said Dooley. “We have to get ready. This is another chance, we have to look after (our mistakes)… I think we will try to play as well as we can.”