by Kevin Estrada
MANILA — The Philippines saw their semifinal hopes in the ASEAN Championship dented by a late Vietnam equalizer, as it was forced to a third consecutive 1-1 draw at the Rizal Memorial last Wednesday evening, December 18.
Victory was within the reach of Albert Capellas’ side who went toe-to-toe with the two-time champions. But the Group B leaders came away with a vital point to remain on top, and had their semifinal destiny firmly in their hands.
For the Filipinos, the draw stings like defeat as they embark on a long-drawn away trip to Solo, where they will take on Indonesia in a must-win situation on Saturday, December 21 in hopes of getting a return to the last four for the first time since 2018.
A goalless first half had drama written all over it, with the luck initially favouring the hosts 12 minutes in after a VAR check overturned Vietnam’s penalty claim after Vu Van Thanh fell on his own inside the box, sparing Adrian Ugelvik from further punishment.
Then, Patrick Deyto reprised his 2014 role after producing a diving stop to deny Dinh Thanh Binh’s left-footed effort in the 25tth minute.
Vietnam even pushed forward in the hour mark, but Van Thanh’s rocket from just inside the box was sent back by the crossbar, much to the relief of the Philippines number 1.
Those missed chances by the Golden Star Warriors came to haunt them eight minutes later, with substitute Jarvey Gayoso putting the Filipinos in front.
Coming on for Bjorn Martin Kristensen in the 65th, the newly-married forward fired in with his trademark left foot that had sent Filip Nguyen kneeling, largely in part of Van Khang Kuat’s misplaced clearance from Amani Aguinaldo’s long ball towards Javier Mariona.
After the opener, the second-ball defending of the Philippines breathed new life to the 3346 in attendance at the heart of Adriatico as the twelve-year wait for a win over Vietnam was on the horizon, but disaster struck with barely 90 seconds remaining.
Doan Ngoc Tan broke the Filipino hearts with an open header from their eleventh and final corner of the match, and Kim Sang-sik’s side eventually stole two points away from the hosts at the full-time whistle.
PHILIPPINES: Deyto (GK), Ugelvik, Tabinas, Linares (Aguinaldo 28’), Reyes, Baldisimo (Kekkonen 46’), Kristensen (Gayoso 65’), Monis, Bailey, Kempter © (Woods 65’), Mariona (Cariño 86’)
VIETNAM: F. Nguyen (GK), DM Do ©, TB Nguyen (TL Nguyen 76’), NQ Chao (VT Nguyen 63’), VH Bui, VT Vu, TB Dinh (TH Pham 82’), QH Nguyen (HD Nguyen 46’), VAB Hoang, Doan NT, Van KK (Nguyen VV 75’)
