The Philippine men’s football team bounced back from underwhelming performances in past international friendlies as the Azkals demolished qualifying round runner-up Laos, 4-1, to open its campaign in the 2014 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup Saturday in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Late substitution Patrick Reichelt almost made a hat-trick, scoring two goals in the 77th and 88th minutes, thanks to Azkals striker Phil Younghusband.
The three-year veteran wingman from Ceres-La Salle first nudged in a breakaway kick off a short pass from Younghusband for his first goal.
Reichelt’s second goal came in garbage time, receiving a short cross pass from Younghusband in a textbook play within the penalty box.
Initially, the game was a scare for the Philippines as Laos’ main striker Khampheng Sayavutthi clanked in a free kick from three yards from the top of the penalty box for a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.
Khampheng’s strike, which bounced off the left iron bar, came after a hard foul from Filipino centre back Juami Guirado.
The Philippines tried to level the game but Mark Hartmann lost an undefended ball from just a yard away from the goal. Unfazed, the Philippines tried to settle down by playing interior offense and short passes.
The equalizer came in the 40th minute, with defender Simone Rota sinking in a header off a right corner kick from Manny Ott. It was Rota’s second international goal, the first of which was made also against Laos in the 2014 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup last August.
The Philippines then held solid ground in the midfield, intercepting the Laotian offense and launching breakaway runs.
Younghusband failed in his first breakaway try in the 44th minute but in the subsequent play, he sank a breakaway header off a long cross pass from Jerry Lucena for his 41st international goal in the first minute of injury time.
It was all Azkals in the second half as Laos went exclusively to Khampheng while the defense of goalkeeper Patrick Deyto and midfielder Daisuke Sato staved off shots on goal from Laos.
The Philippines, safely ahead with the full three points, will next face regional powerhouse Indonesia on Tuesday. The Indonesians drew level with host Vietnam, 2-2, in the other Group A opening match.
